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STEPHEN  Bo  WEEKS 

CLASS  OF  1886;  PH.D.  THE  JOHNS  HOPKINS  UNIVERSITY 

liEMAlRY 

OF  THE 

UMVERSmY  ©F  WME  CMOIUNA 
HE  WEEKS  €(0)]L1LECTII(DN 

CAEOLENIIANA 


>5 


I 


4 


This  book  must  not 
be  taken  from  the 
Library  building. 


AT  THE  BIG  HOUSE 


/ 


w. 


AT  THE 
BIG  HOUSE 


Where  Aunt  Nancy  and  Aunt  'Phrony 
Held  Forth  on  the  Animal  Folks 


By 

ANNE  VIRGINIA  CULBERTSON 


Illustrated  by 
E.  AVARDE  BLAISDELL 


INDIANAPOLIS 

THE  BOBBS-MERRILL  COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 


?*-• 


Copyright  1904 
Thf  Bobbs-Merrill  Company 


April 


PRESS  OF 
BRAUNWORTH  &  CO. 
BOOKBINDERS   AND   PRINTERS 
BROOKLYN,  N,  Y. 


CONTENTS 


Going  Down  to  Uncle  Henry's 

Mr.  Fox's  Funeral 

Mr.  Fox  and  Molly  Hare  Go  Fishing 

Mr.  Hare  Imitates  Mr.  Bear 

The  Friendship  of  Mr.  Bear  and  Mis'  Turkey 

The  Toad,  the  Grasshopper  and  the  Rooster 

Mr.  Terrapin  Gets  the  Nose-bleed 

How  the  'Possum's  Tail  Became  Bare 

Whv  the  'Possum  Has  Black  Ears 

How  Mr.  Terrapin  Lost  His  Beard 

How  Mr.  Terrapin  Lost  His  Plumage  and  Whistle 

Mis'  Cat  and  Mr.  Frisky  Mouse 

Mr.  Hare  Tries  to  Get  a  Wife 

How  Mr.  Hare  Lost  His  Horns 

Why  the  Titmouse  Has  a  Blunt  Tongue 

The  Woman  Who  Married  an  Owl 

Mr.  Mud-turtle's  Adventure 

Why  the  Flounder  is  Flat 

Brother  Squirrel  and  Moll}"  Hare 
Mr.  Hare  and  Mr.  Flint  Rock 
Mr.  Wildcat  Goes  Turkey-hunting 
Mr.  Fox  Turns  Farmer 
Can  ad  i  and  the  Wolves 
The  Story  of  a  Giant 
Whv  the  Buzzard  is  Bald 


Page 

1 

Negro 

6 

Negro 

15 

Indian 

26 

Indian 

34 

Negro 

41 

Negro 

49 

Indian 

56 

Indian 

63 

Indian 

70 

Indian 

78 

Negro 

86 

Indian 

93 

Indian 

100 

Indian 

106 

Indian 

115 

Indian 

122 

Negro 

129 

Negro 

135 

Indian 

141 

Indian 

1-18 

Negro 

155 

Indian 

164 

Indian 

169 

Indian 

177 

CONTENTS 


]Mis'  Goose  Deceives  Mr.  Bear 

Mr.  Bear  Tends  Store  for  Mr.  Fox 

A  Star  Story 

Why  Crabs  Walk  Backward 

The  Origin  of  the  Cat 

The  Dragon  and  the  Tliunder 

The  Tlaniwa 

The  'Possum  and  the  Grub-worm 

Mr.  Bear  and  Mr.  Terrapin  Go  Courting 

Molly  Cotton-tail  Steals  Mr.  Fox's  Butter 

The  Lazy  Fox 

Mr.  Hare,  Mr.  Mink  and  Mis'  Duck 

The  Humming-bird  and  the  Tobacco 

Why  Moles  Have  Hands 

The  Fox  and  the  Duck 

Why  the  Ground-hog  Has  a  Short  Tail 

Mr.  Hare,  Mr.  Wildcat  and  Mr.  Otter 

Mr.  Hare  and  Mr.  Elephant 

The  Toad  and  the  Terrapin 

The  Mocking-bird  and  the  Dry-fly 

The  Saucy  Young  Frog 

The  Crane  and  the  Humming-bird 

The  Fox  and  the  Hot  Potatoes 

The  Funeral  of  Mr.  Dog 

How  the  Deer  Lost  His  Upper  Teeth 

The  Hare  Disappears  For  Ever 


Page 

Negro  186 

Negro  194 

Indian  201 

Negro  207 

Negro  215 

Indian  222 

Indian  Til 

Indian  232 

Negro  237 

Negro  245 

Negro  253 

Indian  260 

Indian  268 

Negro  273 

Negro  279 

Indian  284 

Indian  290 

Negro  297 

Negro  302 

Negro  308 

Negro  314 

Indian  321 

Negro  327 

Negro  333 

Indian  338 

Indian  342 


INTRODUCTION 

The  stories  presented  in  this  volume  were  found 
chiefly  among  the  negroes  of  southeastern  Yirginii'. 
and  the  Cherokee  Indians  of  Xorth  Carolina.  It  is 
possible  that  a  few  of  the  Indian  stories  belong  to  the 
Creeks,  as  some  of  them  were  obtained  from  an  Indian 
who,  while  living  among  the  Cherokees,  was  said  by 
them  to  be  a  Creek;  but  this  was  a  point  on  which 
he  declined  to  commit  himself.  In  the  mountains  of 
the  extreme  west  of  Xorth  Carolina  the  writer  listened" 
to  stories  wonderfully  like  those  of  "Uncle  Eemus," 
falling  from  the  lips  of  venerable  Indians  with  a 
strange  effect  of  familiarity.  Here  was  "the  Eabbit/^ 
the  same  lively,  merry,  tricksy,  resourceful,  quite  rep- 
rehensible and  utterly  irresistible  fellow  as  in  Mr.  Har- 
ris^ delightful  negro  tales.  It  seems  odd  that  the  two 
races,  so  different  in  temperament  and  characteristics, 
should  assume  exactly  the  same  attitude,  distinctly  a 
humorous  one,  toward  the  timorous  rabbit,  perhaps 
the  scariest  "li'l  fool  creetur"  of  them  all,  and  glorify 
him  as  the  most  valiant  of  heroes.  It  may  be  somewhat 
easier  to  understand  in  the  light  of  the  fact  that  the 
rabbit  was  an  important  hero-god  in  the  mythologies 
of  both  races. 

Both  the  Indian  and  the  negro  stories  are  presented 
in  negro  dialect  in  order  more  strongly  to  emphasize 
the  resemblance  between  them — so  marked  as  to  give 


mTRODLXTIOX 

rise  to  the  supposition  that  one  race  borrowed  from 
the  other,  though  which,  in  that  case,  was  origi- 
nator and  which  borrower  it  would  be  difficult  to  say. 
Scientists,  for  the  most  part,  believe  each  race  to  have 
originated  its  own  stories,  while  others  are  of  the  opin- 
ion that  all  such  tales  were  born  in  the  morning  of 
time  in  some  common  cradle  of  our  kind. 

The  reader  will  have  no  difficulty  in  separating  the 
two  sets  of  stories.  The  source  of  each  is  noted  in  the 
table  of  contents,  and,  moreover,  those  of  Indian  origin 
are  all  told  by  an  elderly  negress,  Aunt  'Phrony,  who 
is  supposed  to  be  Indian  on  the  father^s  side  and  negro 
on  the  mother's, — a  not  unusual  admixture  of  race  in 
the  old  davs  of  the  South;  while  the  nearro  tales  are 
told  by  a  woman  of  purely  African  descent,  old  Aunt 
N'ancy.  In  the  case  of  the  Indian  stories,  it  has  been 
thought  not  inconsistent  with  the  unities  to  give  them 
a  large  flavor  of  negro  life  and  character,  since  a  half- 
breed,  such  as  the  one  imasfined,  would  have  been,  bv 
law,  a  slave  like  her  mother,  brought  u^^  amongst  the 
negroes  and  partaking  of  their  ways,  speech  and  char- 
acteristics. 

Let  no  one  suppose  that  Indians  have  not  a  sense  of 
humor.  They  laughed  heartily  as  they  told  these  sto- 
ries and  were  visibly  disappointed  if  their  auditors 
failed  to  catch  the  point  and  to  laugh  with  them.  It 
mav  be  of  interest  to  observe  how  in  the  storv  of  "Mr. 
Mud-turtle's  Adventure"  the  Indian  has  made  the  tur- 
tle effect  his  escape  by  exactly  the  same  ruse  as  that 
practised  by  the  rabbit  in  the  famous  "Tar  Baby"  story. 

A  point  of  difference  noticed  by  the  writer  was  that 
in  the  Indian  stories  of  which  the  rabbit  was  the  hero 


IXTRODrCTIOX 

he  was  always  represented  to  be  of  the  male  persuasion, 
while  in  the  negro  tales  of  the  same  class  the  chief 
actor  was  usually  "01'  Molly  Hyar'/'  or  "Mis'  Hyar'/' 
or  ^^Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail."  In  fact,  the  negroes  of 
Virginia  seldom  refer  to  "the  rabbit";  almost  alwaj's 
it  is  "or  hyar'." 

The  negro  has  borrowed  some  stories  from  ^sop's 
fables  and  adapted  them  to  suit  himself.  An  example 
is  given  in  this  volume  in  the  story  of  "The  Fox  and 
the  Hot  Potatoes/'  plainly  an  adaptation  of  the  famous 
story  of  the  cat's  paw,  the  monkey  and  the  roasted 
chestnuts.  The  writer  found  a  number  of  others,  in- 
cluding "The  Fox  and  the  Grapes/^  "Fox  and  Rooster," 
and  "The  Sick  Lion." 

In  conclusion  it  should  be  said  that  these  stories 
were  all  collected  from  persons  well  on  in  years,  unable 
to  read  and  without  opportunity  of  access  to  books. 
They  are  confessedly  "edited,"  for  all  who  have  col- 
lected folk-tales  will  know  the  crude  form  in  which  they 
are  obtained,  usually  a  bare,  brief  outline,  though  now 
and  then  one  falls  in  with  a  genuine  raconteur.  The  aim 
has  been  to  imitate,  as  far  as  possible,  the  style  of  the 
latter,  while  jealously  preserving  the  original  outlines, 
so  as  not  to  impair  their  value  as  folk-lore.  To  those 
who  would  study  the  imagination  of  primitive  peoples 
these  stories  should  have  some  value,  if  for  no  other 
reason  than  that  they  add  a  few  more  to  the  stock  of 
this  class,  the  opportunities  for  gathering  which  grow 
less  and  less  with  each  year  and  soon  will  cease  alto- 
gether. 

Anne  Viegixia  Culbertsox. 


AT  THE  BIG  HOUSE 


AT  THE  BIG  HOUSE 


GOIXG  DOWN  TO   UISTCLE   IIENEY^S 

The  three  children,  Xed  of  ten,  Janey  of  eight,  and 
Kit,  the  yellow-haired  laddie  of  five,  were  wild  with 
delight  at  the  prospect  of  a  yisit  to  their  nncle  on  the 
old  plantation  where  their  mother  had  been  reared;  for 
little  Kit  had  never  been  there,  and  the  others  were 
too  young  to  recollect  a  former  visit.  Their  mother 
had  married  and  gone  North  to  live  some  time  before 
the  Civil  War.  Then  came  the  troubled  years  of  strife, 
when  it  was  unsafe  for  her  to  venture  with  her  little 
brood  into  the  war-swept,  storm-beaten  section  of 
southern  Virginia  where  her  old  home  was  situated. 
Now,  however,  the  struggle  had  been  over  for  a  year, 
and  she  felt  a  great  longing  to  see  home  once  more,  to 
know  what  familiar  and  cherished  objects  had  survived 
the  wreckage  of  war,  and  to  give  her  children  a  glimpse 
of  the  old  order  of  things  before  it  should  disappear 
for  ever.  She  had  told  them  so  much  of  the  place  and 
of  her  life  there,  that  they*  felt  as  if  they  were  going 
to  visit  some  well-known  spot,  and  in  particular  were 
filled  with  liveliest  anticipations  of  hearing  for  them- 
selves, and  in  the  proper  surroundings,  the  old  darky 
songs  and  tales  of  which  she  had  tried  to  give  them 
some  idea. 

1 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

The  days  rolled  around  all  too  slowly  for  the  impa- 
tient little  people^  but  at  last  they  were  off.  First  came 
the  railroad  trip,  then  the  night  ride  on  a  steamer 
down  the  great  bay,  and  in  the  morning  another  rail- 
w^ay  journe}'-,  this  time  through  pine  woods  for  the 
most  part,  on  a  little  narrow-gage  train  whose  engine 
seemed  to  be  picking  and  choosing  its  path  and  getting 
out  of  the  way  of  the  trees  as  it  zigzagged  in  and  out 
between  them. 

They  were  met  at  the  rude  little  station  by  a  wagon 
and  a  pair  of  stout  farm-horses,  instead  of  the  carriage 
and  blooded  pair  of  other  days.  The  children  piled 
in  on  the  straw  at  the  bottom  of  the  wagon,  and  thought 
it  great  fun  to  dodge  the  uncertain  movements  of  the 
trunks  as  they  jolted  along  over  a  rather  rough  country 
road,  which  took  them  for  miles  through  the  tall,  slim, 
fragrant  pines  that  looked  so  dark  and  somber  when 
viewed  from  a  distance,  but  which  nevertheless  let  in 
plentiful  rays  of  sunlight  to  flicker  and  dance  over  the 
soft  carpet  of  brown  needles  beneath. 

It  was  almost  sunset  before  they  came  in  sio^ht  of 
the  house,  which  was  wholly  unpretentious  but  entirely 
comfortable,  as  was  the  case  with  many  a  plantation 
home  of  the  old  days.  Situated  on  a  slight  eminence, 
it  was  surrounded  by  a  huge  open  expanse  whose  only 
boundary  was  a  far,  dark  rim  of  pines. 

In  the  center  of  the  lawn  was  a  huge  oak  tree,  a  per- 
fect giant  of  his  race,  which  had  looked  benignantly 
down  on  the  same  family  for  a  hundred  and  fifty 
years,  old  when  the  founder  bought  the  land  from  the 
Indians,  yet  still  full  of  life  and  vigor,  bidding  fair  to 
remain  through  many  another  generation  of  the  puny 

2 


GOIXG    DOWX    TO    UNCLE    HEXRY'S 

race  of  men.  He  towered  so  high  above  everything  else 
that  he  was  first  to  wave  a  stately  salute  to  the  rising 
sun  and  last  to  nod  a  grave  good-night  as  the  beams 
disappeared  behind  the  pine  trees.  The  morning  rays 
always  found  him,  like  some  benevolent  patriarch,  giv- 
ing shelter  to  a  little  company  of  cows  and  sheep  and 
snow-white  geese;  and  as  the  sun  slipped  gradually 
around  his  trunk  to  its  goal  in  the  west,  there  was  never 
an  hour  of  the  day  in  which  his  shady  hospitality  was 
not  claimed  by  some  living  creature,  while  the  shadow 
of  his  trunk  marked  the  flight  of  time  like  some  huge 
sun-dial  whose  face  was  half  the  lawn.  It  was  impos- 
sible to  regard  him  as  a  mere  tree ;  he  made  you  think 
of  a  vigorous,  "grand  old  man",  and  after  you  had 
known  him  a  while,  he  seemed  like  an  important  mem- 
ber of  the  familv. 

Dotted  about  the  lawn  were  the  various  "offices,"  and 
farther  back,  the  "quarters",  where  a  hundred  or  more 
negroes  used  to  be  lodged  in  the  old,  busy  days,  when 
everything  was  manufactured  on  the  plantation,  from 
linsey-woolsey  to  cart-wheels,  and  everything  needful 
raised,  even  the  indigo  for  dyeing  the  home-made  cloth. 

As  the  wagon  jolted  across  the  lawn,  the  children 
stood  up  and  waved  their  handkerchiefs  to  the  little 
party  assembled  in  the  front  porch.  Waiting  to  re- 
ceive them  stood  Uncle  Henry,  tall,  broad-shouldered, 
cheery  and  hearty.  There,  too,  we're  the  dogs,  barking 
and  capering  and  giving  noisy  welcome,  and  a  little  in 
the  background  was  one  whom  they  could  not  fail  to 
recognize,  so  often  had  they  heard  her  described, — a  fat, 
smiling,  broad-faced  negress,  comfortable  and  sleek, 
with   eyes    beaming    and    white    teeth    shining.    Aunt 

3 


AT    THE    BIG   HOUSE 

Xancy,  tlieir  mother's  old  ^'"mammy".  The  children 
were  lifted  down  amid  hiiggings  and  kissings  from 
Uncle  Henry,  fawning  and  frolicking  from  the  dogs, 
and  lastly  Aunt  Nancy  fell  on  them  and  took  them 
to  her  ample  bosom  and  made  much  ado  over  her 
"young  Miss^  chillen". 

Presently  the  servants  began  running  to  and  fro  car- 
rying steaming  dishes  from  the  "cook-house"  to  the 
"big  house",  and  before  long  the  children  were  seated 
about  the  fine  old  mahogany  table,  which  had  dispensed 
hospitality  to  at  least  four  generations,  and  were 
eagerly  discussing  hoe-cake  and  dodger,  "egg-brea^ 
and  muffin,  waffle  and  fried  chicken,  together  with  other 
staple  delicacies,  familiar  and  unfamiliar.  They  were 
waited  upon,  meanwhile,  by  "Coonie",  the  house-boy,  son 
of  Eliza,  the  cook,  who  watched  every  mouthful  taken 
with  absorbed  interest,  and  grinned  as  if  each  new 
depredation  on  the  piled-up  plates  was  a  fresh  compli- 
ment to  his  mother's  skill  in  cookery. 

When  supper  was  over  and  the  children  were  being 
put  to  bed,  Aunt  Nancy's  smiling  face  appeared  in  the 
doorway,  and  she  declared  that  she  must  have 
"anu'rr  squint  at  dem  chillen"  before  she  took  herself  off 
for  the  night.  "Blessid  lambs !"  said  she,  "de  ve'y  spit 
an'  imidge  er  dey  maw,  'scusen  de  li'l  bit  whar  favers 
dey  gran'paw  an'  ol'  Mis'  an'  dey  Uncle  Hinry.  Del- 
laws  !•  I  nuver  think  in  de  days  w'en  I  tucken  Miss 
Janey  on  my  knee  an'  got  her  raidy  fer  baid,  an'  den 
tuck  her  in  an'  sot  down  by  her  an'  tell  her  tales  ontwel 
she  drap  off  ter  sleep,  I  nuver  think,  naw  ma'am,  dat 
I  gwine  live  ter  see  her  wid  a  hull  passel  er  li'l  chillen 
husse'f,  naw'm,  dat  1  didn'." 

4 


GOIXG   DOWN"    TO    UNCLE    HENRY^S 

At  the  mention  of  stories  the  children  sat  up  in  bed, 
clasping  their  arms  about  their  knees  with  chins  rest- 
ing on  top^  looking  eagerly  at  her,  like  so  many  ani- 
mated interrogation  points.  "Please  tell  us  some 
stories,"  they  begged,  and  Janey  declared  that  she  did 
not  believe  she  could  possibly  go  to  sleep  in  a  strange 
bed,  unless,  as  her  mother  used  to  do,  she  fell  asleep 
on  a  story. 

Aunt  Nancy  giggled  and  laughed  until  her  body 
rocked  from  side  to  side.  ^'"Well,  ef  dis  ain'  de  beatenes' 
lot,"  said  she,  "ter  'mence  on  me  *bout  tales  de  ve'y 
fus^  night  I  sot  eyes  on  ^em.  Jes'  ^zackly  de  way  dey  maw 
useter  kyar'  on,  fer  all  de  worF."  But  it  did  not  take 
much  coaxing  to  start  her.  Drawing  up  an  old  splint- 
bottomed  chair,  she  sat  down  between  the  two  beds  and 
announced  that  she  believed  she  would  "splunge  inter 
de  bizness"  by  telling  them  the  story  of 


l^r: 


ME.  FOX'S  FUNEEAL 


"In  de  ol'  days/'  she  began^  "dar  wnz  two  er  de 
creeturs  whar  wuz  alluz  fallin'  out  wid  one  nn'rr,  an' 
seein'  who  kin  git  ahaid  nv  tu'rr  one,  an'  settin'  all 
sawts  er  traps  an'  lay-overs-fer-ter-ketch-meddlers. 
Dese  two  creeturs  wuz  neener  mo'  ner  less  dan  Mis' 
Molly  Cotton-tail — w'ich  some  calls  'er  ol'  Molly 
Hyar' — an'  Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox.  Sometimes  one 
wuz  in  de  lead,  sometimes  tu'rr,  but  mos'  in  ginly 
Mis'  Molly  she  camed  out  ahaid,  fer  dat  seem  ter  be 
de  speshul  gif  er  de  ladiz,  ter  git  der  own  way  wid  der 
breens  stidder  dey  fistes.  Menfolks  is  kind  er  clumsy 
an'  lumbersome  'bout  sech  ez  dat,  an'  mos'  times  gins 
deyse'fs  erway  fo'  dey  gits  half  thu. 

"One  day  he  come  'crost  'er  w'en  she'z  right  good  an' 
tired,  settin'  in  de  broom-saidge  fiel',  down  by  de  ol' 
sawmill,  an'  he  gin  'er  chase  thu  de  woods  an'  inter  de 
swamp  an'  out  inter  de  fiel'  on  tu'rr  side,  'twel  she  wuz 
all  blown  an'  clean  stove-up.  ^Oh  me !  0  my !'  sez  she 
ter  husse'f,  sez  she,  ^I  reckon  dish  3^er's  whar  I  gotter 
turn  up  my  li'l  toes  an'  gin  up  de  ghos',  sho'  'nuff, 
'kase  I  kain't  run  nu'rr  step,  no  use  ter  try.  Well,  I 
hope  some  nice  nigger  man  gwine  git  dish  yer  lef 
behime  foot  er  mine  an'  kyar'  hit  roun'  wid  him  tei 
keep  de  boogers  off.' " 

Here    the    children    interrupted    to    make    inquirie 


MR.    FOX'S    rrXERAL 

about  the  rabbit's  left  hind  foot,  of  whose  wonderful 
powers  they  never  had  happened  to  hear. 

"Dellaws !''  exclaimed  Aunt  Xancy,  "niiver  yearn  tell 
er  de  lef  behime  foot  nv  a  grave-yard  rabbit  ?  Whar  you 
been  livin'  all  dese  'ears?  Wy,  dat's  de  mos'  pow'ful 
cunjer  in  de  worl'.  Jes'  kyar'  one'r  dem  in  yo'  pockit 
an'  vouse  safe  ez  vou  kin  be  in  dish  ver  suffer  in',  dvin' 
worl'.  Hit  keeps  off  witches  an"  lia'nts  an'  jaeky-my- 
lantums  an'  boogers  in  gin'l,  an'  hit  brings  good  luck 
an'  keeps  away  bad  luck,  an'  hit  keeps  mean,  low-down 
folks  fum  puttin'  spells  on  you  an'  trickin'  you.  But 
hit  wu'ks  bofe  wavs,  fer  ef  vou  lose  dat  foot  an'  some 
one  else  gits  hit,  dey  kin  do  jes'  'bout  w'at  dey  wants 
wid  you.^  An'  you  mus'n'  on  no  kyount  let  no  pusson 
teck  dat  rabbit  foot  in  han'  an'  tetch  you  wid  hit,  fer 
ef  you  do,  sunip'n"  mighty  bad  gwine  happen  to  you, 
dat's  jes'  ez  sho'  ez  I'm  a-settin'  yer  runnin'  on  'bout 
dat  cunjer. 

"Xow  whar  wuz  I  at  ?  Oh,  vas,  whar  Mis'  Mollv  wuz 
all  tuckered  out  an'  'bout  ter  gin  up  de  game.  Well, 
jes'  den,  ez  de  luck  had  hit,  she  yearn  a  gre't  blowin'  er 
hawns  an'  a  lot  er  houn's  givin'  tongue  a  fur  ways  off, 
an'  she  knowed  dat  de  hunters  wuz  som'ers  roun',  so 
she  ga'rrd  husse'f  toge'rr  an'  putt  out  in  dat  d'reckshun, 
an'  bless  goodness  ef  she  ain'  tole  ol'  Fox  right  in  de 
midse  er  de  dogs  an'  de  bosses  an'  de  hunters,  an'  den 
she  double  an'  git  outen  de  way  in  shawt  order.  I  tell 
you,  Mistah  Slickry  Sly  had  a  mighty  clost  shave  dat 
time,  an'  he  ain'  fergive  Mis'  ^lolly.  He  laid  hit  up 
in  his  min'  erg'in  'er  an'  'clared  he  wuz  gwine  git  even 
wid  her  ef  he  ain'  do  anu'rr  lick  dat  winter. 

"He  set  by  de  fire  an'  study  an'  study  'bout  hit,  wid 

7 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

his  haid  on  his  han'  an'  his  jaw  drapt  open,  twel  he 
g(^t  sort  or  run  down  an'  liis  appentite  gin  out.  Mis' 
Fox  she  wuz  worrited  'bout  him,  same  time  dat  she  wuz 
putt  out  wid  him  fer  settin'  on  his  ha'nches  doin' 
nuttin'  an'  lettin'  lier  dus'  roun'  atter  de  vittles.  Las', 
one  day  slie  tucken  de  broom  an'  shnk  hit  at  'im,  an' 
sez  she,  ^Git  outen  my  sight,  yon  mis'able  shif'less 
creetur.  Ef  you  go  an'  stir  yo'se'f  roun'  an'  wu'k  a 
li'l,  hit  mought  start  yo'  blood  ter  goin'  erg'in,  an'  kyore 
you,  fer  you  done  got  a  bone  disease,  w'ich  dey  calls  hit 
lazy-hones,  an'  I'm  a-gwineter  kyore  you  right  yer  an' 
now,  dat  I  is,  fer  I  ain'  want  no  fun'l  'bout  dis  house, 
dat  I  ain',  wid  all  de  strouds  an'  de  coffins  an'  de  flow's 
an'  de  hearsts;  an'  de  vittles  whar  de  mo'ners  'stroy  at 
de  settin'-up.  Cos'  me  mo'  dan  you  uver  been  wuf,  suh.' 
An'  wid  dat  she  brought  de  broom,  ker-smack !  down  on 
Mistah  Sly-fox's  haid. 

"Wen  she  say  de  wu'd  ^fun'l/  dat  gin  'im  a  idee. 
He  laid  dar  widout  movin',  lak  he  wuz  sho'-'nuff  daid, 
an'  he  let  her  pick  'im  up  'an  putt  'im  on  de  baid.  He 
laid  dar  a  w'ile  lis'nin'  at  'er  go  on,  wringin'  her  han's 
an'  crA'in'  ^0  lawd !  0  lawd  I  w'at  a  wicked  ooman  I 
is !  Done  kilt  my  po'  sick  husban' !  AY'at  I  gwine  do ! 
Oh,  mussy  me,  w'at  is  I  gwine  do !' 

"Fox  he  wuz  might'ly  tickled  an'  let  'er  run  on  a 
w'ile.  He  say  ter  hisse'f,  *Dish  yer's  whar  I  fin'  out  how 
de  ol'  ooman  gwine  'have  husse'f  w'en  she's  a  widdy.' 
Den  he  open  he  eyes  lak  he  wuz  pow'ful  fibble  an'  roll 
'em  up  in  his  haid,  an'  sezee :  "^Ol'  ooman,  I  fergives 
you  fer  dis,  'deed  I  does.  I  kain't  'spec  ter  las'  much 
longer ;  lemme  ax  you,  bef o'  I  goes,  ter  gimme  a  decint 
fun'l,  wid  all  de  fixin's,  an'  I  w^ant  a  sarmint  preached 

8 


MR.    FOX'S    rUXEEAL 

fer  me,  too,  ef  you  hatter  putt  off  de  preaeliin'  part 
fer  a  'ear,  so's't  you  kin  pay  fer  hit.  An'  I  wants  you, 
please  ma'am,  ter  ^4te  all  de  nabers  ter  de  settin'-up, 
even  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail,  'kase  I  done  fergive  her, 
too,  an'  you  mus'  sen'  her  wu'd  dat  I  gwine  lay  mo' 
peace'ble  in  my  grave  ef  she'll  come  ter  de  settin'-up. 
An'  I  wants  you  ter  have  plenty  er  vittles  fer  de 
mo'ners,  'kase  I  ain'  want  no  pusson  ter  go  'way  f'um 
my  fun'l  an'  say  he's  hongry,' 

"Mis'  Fox  she  jes'  lit  out  inter  cryin'  an'  wringin' 
her  han's  erg'in,  but  she  gin  de  promuss.  She  say,  sez 
she :  ''01'  man,  vou  kin  die  easv,  fer  I  o:in  vou  de  wu'd 
uv  a  po'  widdy  ooman  dat  you  is  gwine  have  ev'ything 
dat  b'longs  wid  a  fus'-class  fun'l,  all  de  trimmin's  an' 
de  fixin's  th'owed  in,  ef  I  hatter  wu'k  my  ting-ers  ter 
de  bone  over  de  wash-tub  ter  pay  fer  'em,  you  is  so. 
Don'  you  let  dat  idee  keep  you  ling'in'  on  yer  in  taw- 
ment ;  I  done  gin  3'ou  my  wu'd,  an'  dat  orter  be  'nuff  ter 
let  you  down  inter  de  grave  on  flow'y  baids  uv  ease, 
'deed  hit  ort.' 

"Fox  he  thanked  her,  an'  den  he  fetched  a  big  groan 
an'  rolled  over  on  his  back  an'  turnt  his  toes  up  in  de 
air  an'  lav  dar  ez  stiff  an'  start  ez  ef  de  href  er  life 
clean  gone  outen  him.  Den  Mis'  Fox  she  wipe  her 
eyes  on  her  sleeve  an'  whu'l  in  an'  git  ev'ything  raidy 
fer  de  settin'-up.  She  kill  a  chicken  an'  bile  a  ham  an' 
cook  a  mess  er  greens,  an'  den  she  tuck  an'  sont  noration 
ter  de  nabers  ter  come  ter  de  settin'-up.  Den  she  turn  in 
an'  fix  up  de  house,  an'  las'  uv  all  she  gin  her  'tention 
ter  de  cawpse,  an'  w'en  she  git  thu  wid  'im  he  sut'n'y 
look  mo'  harnsum  dan  he  done  w'en  he  wuz  walkin' 
thu  dis  vale  er  tears.     She  sont  off  fer  de  coffin  an'  de 

1) 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

flow's,  an'  w'cn  de  mo'ners  got  dar  ter  do  de  settin'  up, 
ev'ything  wiiz  good  an'  raidy. 

"Well,  she  gin  'em  a  good  bait  er  vittles,  an'  dey  sot 
np  endurin'  er  de  night  a-mo'nin'  an'  a-groanin'  an' 
a-dronin',  an'  ev'y  onct  in  a  w'iles  de  widdy  'ud  th'ow 
her  ap'un  over  her  haid  an'  bus'  inter  tears  an'  rock 
back  an'  fo'th  an'  kvar  on  twel  some  er  de  men-folks 
'ud  come  an'  console  wid  'er,  an'  den  she'd  pick  husse'f 
up  a  li'l.  Slickry  he  kep'  one  eye  an'  one  year  open, 
an'  he  ketched  her  runnin'  on  wid  Mistah  Coon  a  li'l 
an'  lookin'  at  'im  mighty  sweet  w'en  she  see  de  res' 
wan't  lookin'.  ^Uh-huh!'  sezee  ter  hisse'f,  ^dat's  how 
de  win'  blow,  do  hit?  'Tain'  gin  ter  ev'y  man  ter  see 
w'at  kind  er  widdy  he  gwine  leave  behime.  Eunnin' 
on  wid  ol'  Coon  right  bef o'  mv  face  an'  eves !  Well 
ef  I  don'  pay  her  off  fer  dat,  my  name  ain'  Slickry  Sly- 
fox.  Widdy  indeed  !  Xot  fer  long,  ef  she  have  de  sesso.' 
An'  'twuz  all  he  cu'd  do  not  ter  git  up  right  den  an'  dar 
an'  pick  a  quo'il  wid  'er. 

"All  thu  de  night  de  mo'ners  kep'  hit  up,  rockin' 
back  an'  fo'th  an'  singin'  lak  dis,  m-um-ah-um-m, 
m-um-ah-um-m." 

Here  Aunt  Nancy  imitated  the  peculiarly  mournful, 
monotonous  dirge  indulged  in  by  the  negroes  at  their 
"settin'-ups,"  consisting  of  only  a  few  notes  without 
words,  hummed  through  closed  lips,  and  wailed  with 
such  persistent  dolefulness  through  the  long  night  that 
the  effect  is  indescribabl}^  harrowing  as  w^ell  as  melan- 
choly.   Presently  she  resumed  her  story. 

"Yas,  dey  kep'  hit  up  all  night,  dough  now  an'  den 
dey'd  stop  fer  a  li'l  set-to  wid  de  vittles.  W'en  de  mawn- 
in'  come,  all  un  'em  'scusin'  one  er  two  er  de  wimmin- 

10 


ME.    FOX^S    FUXERAL 

folks  went  home  ter  dress  fer  de  fun'l.  Long  to'des 
twelve^  3'er  dey  comes  ag'in,  dress  up  in  all  de  fine  doin's 
dev  kin  lay  der  lian's  on.  I  ^spec'  oV  ^lis'  B'ar  wuz 
^bout  de  fines'  one,  she  have  on  a  pink  silk  dress,  low- 
neck-an'-shawt-sleeves,  wid  a  trail  an'  a  pink  sunshade 
ter  match,  but  Mis'  Panter  run  'er  right  clost,  'kase  she 
have  on  a  white  tall'ton  wid  flounctes  f'um  top  ter  bot- 
tom an'  bows  er  raid  ribbon  wid  streamers  behime.  De 
gemmen  all  have  on  neckties  an'  white  cotton  gloves, 
an'  raid  hank'chers  stickin'  outer  der  pockits.  I  tell 
you  dat  wuz  a  funl !  Dey  all  come  in  an'  dey  howdied 
a  li'l  wid  Mis'  Fox  an'  she  telled  'em  she  wuz  proud  ter 
see  ^em  dar,  an'  den  she  gin  'em  cheers  an'  ev'b'dy  sot 
down. 

"Las'  some  un  say:  ^I  'clar'  ter  gracious.  Sis'  Molly 
Cotton-tail  ain'  comed  yit.  AYunner  w'at  mek  her  so 
late  ?  Any  you-all  seed  'er  on  de  way  yer  ?  Eeckon  she 
done  stop  ter  prink  husse'f  up.'  Xo  pusson  ain'  seed 
'er,  so  some  'un  say  dey  bes'  sing  a  chune  w'ile  dey  'uz 
waitin',  an'  wid  dat  dey  struck  inter  Zion  Weep  a-LoWj 
an'  I  tell  you,  honeys,  dey  made  sho'-'nuff  music,  wid 
de  ladiz  kyar'yin'  de  air  an'  de  men-folks  doin'  de 
dronin'." 

Here  the  children  again  interrupted  to  ask  Aunt 
Xancy  if  she  knew  Zion  Weep  a-Low,  and  to  beg  that 
they  might  hear  how  the  creatures  sang  it  at  the  funeral 
of  Mr.  Fox.  Xothing  loath.  Aunt  Xancy  sang  it  with 
camp-meeting  fervor,  notes  long  drawn  out,  with  many 
an  "oh"  and  "ah,"  and  shakes  and  quavers  impossible 
to  describe. 

"Well,"  the  old  woman  resumed,  "dey  sung  dat 
sper'chil  plumb  thu  an'  yit  Mis'  Molly  ain'  come,  so 

11 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

dey  had  solemn  conclave  fer  a  w'ile  an'  den  de  preacher 
he  got  up  an'  cle'rd  his  th'oat  a  time  er  two  an'  'menced 
talkin'  'bout  ^listah  Fox.  He  say,  ^Sinner  fren's,  I 
wanster  call  yo'  'tention  ter  dis  cawpse;  you  kin  see  fer 
yo'se'fs  w'at  a  nice  cawpse  hit  is,  wid  real  white  gloves, 
kid,  suh,  on  de  han's,  an'  flow's  strewed  all  up  an'  down 
'im;  an'  I  wants  y'all  ter  teck  p'tickler  notuss  er  dat, 
fer  dat  gwine  Tarn  3'ou  how  hit  pays  ter  be  hones'  an' 
indush'ous,  'kase  ef  he  ain'  been  dat-a-way  he  oon  had 
no  sech  a  fun'l  ez  w'at  dis  is,  wid  me  yer  too,  inter  de 
bargum,  ter  gin  'im  a  send-off,  all  nice  an'  proper, 
w'ich  Sis'  Fox,  de  wife  er  de  diseased,  she  a-goin'  ter 
pay  me  fer  hit  on  time,  I  oon  keep  her  waitin'  fer  de 
fun'l  sarmint  twel  nex'  'ear,  naw  suh.' 

"Some  er  de  mo'ners  fetched  a  groan  an'  some  er  de 
ol'  men  an'  wimmin  'spon'  f'um  de  cornders,  TTea, 
lawd !  hones'  an'  indush'ous,  dat's  de  trufe !'  an'  Mis' 
Fox  gin  a  squeal  an'  fell  back  in  her  cheer  an'  de  fun'l 
hatter  stop  'twel  dey  cu'd  bring  'er  to  wid  a  go'de  er 
water.  Jes'  den,  who  shu'd  putt  'er  haid  in  de  do'  but 
Mis'  Molly  Hyar',  but  she  wuz  too  smart  an'  know 
Mistah  Slickry  Sly  too  well  ter  putt  her  foot  inside 
de  do'.  She  wuz  all  dress'  off  in  black,  wid  a  big  bawnet, 
an'  a  mo'nin'  veil  mo'n  a  yard  long  streamin'  down  'er 
back,  an'  she  'uz  kyar'yin'  a  big  white  hank'cher  wid  a 
black  bawder. 

"She  howdied  wid  'em  a  li'l  an'  den  she  stan'  outside 
an'  look  in  at  de  cawpse  wid  her  haid  on  one  side  an' 
her  mouf  drord  down  lak  she  'uz  mighty  'flicted  'bout 
dis,  an'  she  say,  she  do,  moppin'  her  eyes  now  an'  den 
wid  de  hank'cher,  ^Po'  Brer  Fox,  po'  Brer  Fox !  I 
sut'n'y  nuver  'spected  ter  see  'im  lak  dis.     I  done  fer- 

12 


MR.    FOX'S    FUXERAL 

give  'im  all  de  hard  feelin's  dat  has  pass'  hetwix'  us. 
He  sut'n'y  is  a  nice  cawpse,  Sis'  Fox,  an'  one  dat  you 
gwine  be  proud  uv  all  de  res'  er  yo'  days.  I  has  on'y 
one  fault  ter  fin'  wid  'im,  an'  dat  is,  his  han's  ain'  crost ; 
I  done  yearn  my  granny  say,  an'  she  wuz  a  mighty 
knowin'  ooman,  dat  de  han's  uv  a  cawpse  mus'  alluz 
be  folded,  look  lak  'tain'  a  sho'-'nuff  cawpse  lessen  de 
han's  is  crost.' 

"At  dat  ol'  Mistah  Slickry  Slv  tuck  an'  slip  one 
han'  'cross  tu'rr  an'  laid  dar  lookin'  ez  innercent  ez 
a  lamb,  but,  bless  yo'  soul,  dat  'uz  'nuff  fer  Miss  Molly, 
she  knowed  den  dat  'twuz  jes'  de  way  she  'spicioned  all 
erlong,  an'  dat  Slickry  wuz  nuver  mo'  erlive  in  his  life. 
She  jes'  tucken  leg-bail  fer  her  'scape  outen  dat, 
an'  erway  she  go  wid  her  mo'nin'  veil  streamin'  out 
behime  'er  in  de  win'.  Fox  he  jumped  up  an'  upsot  de 
preacher  an'  spilt  all  de  flow's  and  tuck  after  'er,  hard 
ez  he  cu'd  split,  but  he  was  sort  er  hilt  back  by  de  good 
elo'es  an'  de  white  kid  gloves,  an'  sidesen  dat  he  wuz 
sort  er  stiff  an'  weak  f'um  layin'  still  so  long,  wid 
nuttin'  ter  eat  inter  de  bargum,  so  he  ain'  see  mo'n  de 
een'  uv  'er  veil  gwine  roun'  a  cornder. 

"Dey  do  say  dat  fun'l  come  mighty  nigh  mekin' 
trouble  in  de  Fox  fambly,  fer  he  useter  th'ow  hit  up  ter 
de  ol'  ooman,  ev'y  now  an'  den,  dat  she  done  kyar'  on 
wid  Mistah  Coon  right  in  front  er  de  cawpse  uv  'er 
own  husban'.  But  she  knowed  how  ter  shet  'im  up ;  she 
alluz  say :  '  'Twant  no  cawpse !  dough  hit  orter  bin, 
seein'  all  hit  done  cos'  me.  Xo  'spectable  cawpse  oon 
do  no  sech  a  low-down  way,  a  mannerly  cawpse  'ud  'a 
knowed  w'at  wuz  'spected  uv  hit  an'  stayed  daid.  An' 
all  dem  mo'ners  doin'  all  dat  mo'nin'  an'  settin'  up  fer 

13 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 


nuttin' !  I  boun'  you  w'en  yo'  time  sho'-'nuff  comes  I 
won't  l)c  able  tor  fin'  mo'ners  'nuff  in  disli  yer  k3^ounty 
ter  burry  you  deeint.  Folks  ain'  lak  ter  has  der  feelin's 
disapp'inted  dat-a-way!  Don'  a^ou  talk  ter  me,  long  ez 
we  owin'  money  on  dat  f un'l  yit !' 


V  >f 


14 


MR.  FOX  AXD  MOLLY  HARE  GO  FISHIXG 


When  Aunt  Xancy  had  finished  the  tale  of  ^[r.  Fox's 
funeral  there  were  no  signs  of  sleep  in  the  bright  eyes 
fixed  upon  her  face,  and  three  piping  little  voices  began 
to  make  pleas  for  just  one  more  story. 

G'long  Vay  f'um  yer/'  said  she,  with  a  chuckle, 
y'all  boun'  ter  keep  me  gwine  on  all  night,  I  sees 
dat.  Huccome  yo'  eyes  so  wide  open?  Atter  all  dat 
trabblement  you  bin  doin',  de  San'  Man  orter  bin  yer 
long  'fo'  dis.  Wa't  you  reckon  yo'  maw  gwine  say  ter 
dis  all-night  bizness  ?" 

"Oh,  she  won't  care  if  we  have  just  one  more,  will 
you.  Mamma?"  came  in  anxious  chorus.  "And  you 
know.  Mamma,"  said  Janey,  "you  used  to  do  this  way, 
too ;  you  said  you  did,  yourself." 

]\Iamma  stood  in  the  doorway  a  moment,  smiling  and 
convicted.  "Well,  just  one  more.  Mammy,  remember, 
only  one.  Don't  let  them  coax  you  for  another,"  she 
said  as  she  went  downstairs  to  Uncle  Henry. 

Aunt  Xancy  looked  as  pleased  as  the  children,  but 
she  made  pretense  of  being  completely  run  aground 
for  stories,  in  order  that  she  might  hear  the  little 
voices  raised  in  protest  and  entreaty. 

"Aw,  pshaw !"  said  Xed,  "I  know  better'n  that,  for 
Mamma  says  you  know  enough  stories  to  fill  a  book." 

"Well,  mebbe  I  does  an'  mebbe  I  doesn',"  said  the  old 

15 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

woman,  ^^ut  liowsomuvor  dat  mav  be,  mv  min'  done 
let  'em  all  rnn  out^  same  'z  water  thu  a  sieve;,  lessen 
hits  one  lil  one  dat  kind  er  git  ketched  in  a  cornder  uv 
my  'membance.  Jes'  a  li'l  tale  'bout  de  time  w'en  Mis- 
tali  Fox  an'  ^lis'  Molly  Cotton-tail  went  fishin'  toge'rr. 

"Atter  Mis'  ^lolly  done  turn  de  tables  on  'im  at  de 
fun'l,  he  kep'  on  studyin'  an'  studyin'  an'  schemin'  an' 
schemin'  ter  git  even  wid  'er.  Folks  dat  met  up  wid 
him  in  de  woods  knowed  he  wuz  up  ter  sump'n',  'kase 
he  went  trottin'  b}',  not  stoppin'  long  'nuff  ter  'spon' 
howdy,  lookin'  so  knowin'  outen  dem  slant-up  eyes  er 
his'n,  wid  his  face  all  drord  up  inter  wrinkles,  dat  dey 
cu'd  see  he  wuz  plannin'  out  some  sort  er  cussishness,  an' 
dey  tuck  good  kyare  ter  keep  outen  de  way.  Even  w'en 
he  wuz  foolin'  de  dogs,  settin'  up  on  a  ol'  log  wid  his 
tongue  hangin'  out,  jes'  ez  still  'z  ef  he  wuz  daid,  so't 
dey'd  pass  'im  by,  he  wuz  studyin',  studyin'  'bout  Mis' 
Molly.  Same  way  w'en  he  went  down  ter  de  orchud 
ter  git  'im  a  chickin.  Mighty  hard  wu'k  ter  git  de 
chickins  down  f'um  de  tree,  but  still  'tain'  drive  Mis' 
Molly  outen  he  min'. 

"How  does  de  fox  git  chickins  outen  de  trees  ?  Umph, 
honeys !  dat  sut'n'y  is  a  sight  in  de  worl' !  Ef  you 
onct  see  dat  you  ain'  gwine  fergit  hit  in  a  hurry.  Well, 
one'r  dese  yer  cloudy  nights  he  comes  'long  un'need 
de  tree  whar  de  fowels  is  roostin'  an'  fin's  'em  all  fas' 
asleep,  an'  he  knows  dat  ain'  gwine  do,  'kase  dey  locks 
der  claws  tight  roun'  de  limb  an'  goes  ter  sleep,  an'  de 
claws  stay  locked  ontwel  dey  wakes  up.  He  know  he 
'bleeged  ter  rouse  'em  'fo'  he  kin  git  'im  one.  So  he 
gins  a  sharp  bark  an'  jumps  up,  an'  w'en  dey  'mence 
ter  cackle  he  'mence  ter  succle  roun'  an'  roun'  un'need 

16 


ME.  FOX  AXD  MOLLY  HARE  GO  FISHIXG 

de  tree,  faster  an'  faster,  jumpin'  an'  barkin'.  De 
chickins  dey  turn  an'  twis'  der  haids  ter  watch  'im, 
an'  las'  some  fool  fowel  dat's  kind  er  weak  in  her  haid 
gits  so  dizzy  dat  she  jes'  draps  right  down  an'  he  gob- 
bles 'er  up  in  a  jiff.  Yassuh,  he's  a  gre't  schemer.  He 
nuver  do  anything  in  a  hurry,  jes'  plan  hit  all  out  good 
an'  den  teck  his  time  to  hit.  He  say  he  gwine  git 
even  wid  Molly  Hyar'  yit  if  it  teck  'im  twel  Chris'mus, 
an'  'twuz  gittin'  'long  to'des  dat  time  befo'  he  wuz  raidy 
fer  'er. 

"One  col'  mawnin'  he  went  streakin'  thu  de  woods, 
lif'in'  up  one  paw  an'  stoppin'  ter  lissen  fer  de  dogs 
now  an'  den,  but  de  coas'  w^uz  cle'r  an'  he  kep'  on  'twel 
he  got  ter  Mis'  Molly's.  He  knock  on  de  do'  but  she 
ain'  year  'im  kase  she  wuz  busy  rockin'  two  er  de 
chillen  whar  wuz  sick,  an'  singin'  at  de  top  uv  'er 
voice  ter  drown  de  noise  de  urr  chillen  wuz  makin'  ez 
dey  racket  roun'  de  house,  playin'  boss  an'  leap-frog- an' 
ketcher,  an'  cuffin'  an'  tusslin'  'twel  ol'  man  Hyar'  wuz 
'bleeged  ter  leave  de  ol'  ooman  de  bag  ter  hoi'  an'  teck 
his  pipe  an'  go  an'  set  on  de  bench  outside  de  do'  ter 
git  some  peace  an'  comfu't. 

"Mis'  Hyar'  kep'  on  singin'  at  de  top  uv  'er  voice : 

'Oh  Bunny  is  my  hahy. 

Bunny  is  my  lamb, 
I  loves  my  Bunny  better 

Dan^a  gre't  big  dish  er  ham. 

'Oh  Honey  is  my  baby. 

Honey  is  my  lamb, 
I  loves  my  Honey  better 

Dan  a  gre't  big  roas'ed  yam/ 
17 


AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 


u  i^ 


^Drat  dish  yer  Bunny  an'  Honey/  sez  Fox  ter  his- 
se'f,  sezee,  Svimmin-folks  sut'n'y  does  mek  fools  er 
deyse'fs  over  dey  chillen,  an'  meks  de  chillen  fools,  inter 
de  bargum.'  Wid  dat  he  fotched  a  big  lick  on  de  do' 
wid  his  walkin'-stick  an'  Mis'  Molly  gin  a  scream  an' 
jumped  so't  she  mos'  drapt  Bunny  an'  Honey.     She  ax 


'im  fer  ter  come  in,  an'  she  sut'n'y  wuz  s'prise  w'en  she 
see  who  'twuz,  but  she  ain'  let  on,  not  her;  dat  wan't 
her  way.  She  mek  'er  manners  an'  ax  'im  fer  ter  git  a 
cheer  fer  hisse'f,  'kase  he  cu'd  see  dat  her  ban's  wuz  full, 
an'  den  she  'mence  ter  run  on  'bout  de  wedder  same  'z 
folks  does  dese  days  w'en  dey  ain'  know  w'at  else  ter 
say. 

"Fox  he  wuz  mighty  p'lite  an'  mannerly  an'  chock 

18 


ME.  FOX  AXD  MOLLY  HARE  GO  FISHIXG 

full  er  pooty  talk.  He  say,  ^'Clar'  ter  goodness,  Mis' 
Molly  Cotton-tail,  you  sut'n^y  does  look  snipshus.  'Pears 
lak  you  git  younger  an'  younger  ev'y  'ear,  you  sut'n'y 
does,  ma'am.' 

"Molly  snicker,  but  she  wan't  tucken  in  by  liim.  She 
say,  ^Hysh,  man !  Better  not  let  Mis'  Fox  year  you  go 
on  dat-a-way !  'Sidesen  dat,  I  knows  I  ain'  no  mo'  ter 
look  at  dese  days  dan  a  lean  crow  wid  a  graveyard 
cough.' 

"  SSho !  Mis'  Moll}','  sezee,  ^'ou  ain'  do  yo'se'f  jestice, 
'deed  you  ain'.  I  nuver  has  see  you  lookin'  better.  I'll 
back  you  'gins'  all  de  triflin'  young  gals  roun'  dese  dig- 
gin's,'  sezee.  He  run  on  dat-a-way  ontwel  he  think  he 
got  her  good  an'  please',  an'  den  he  say,  ^Mis'  Hyar',  I 
done  call  roun'  ter  see  ef  you  oon  lak  ter  go  fishin'.  I 
knows  a  monst'ous  fine  place,  whar  de  fishes  is  thicker'n 
blackba'ies  in  a  natch,  an'  I  teck  tou  risrht  dar  ef  you 
sesso.    'Tain'  no  fur  wavs,  neener.' 

"Mis'  Hyar'  she  say,  she  do,  'Thanky,  ]\Iistah  Slickry ; 
thanky,  suh.  I  wish  ter  gracious  I  could  go  wid  you, 
but  YOU  see  how  'tis.  Yer's  Bunny  an'  Honey  sick  on 
my  ban's;  real  croupyfied,  dey  is,  an'  de  urr  chillen 
cuttin'  up  lak  de  ol'  Harry,  an'  all  my  wu'k  layin'  roun' 
loose.  I  'clar'  dem  chillen  gwine  run  me  'stracted. 
You  Blinker  I  you  Winker !  come  yer,  bofe  un  you,  an' 
set  yo'se'fs  down  by  de  chimbly  an'  stop  dat  uverlas'in' 
scufflin'  I  Jumper  an'  Thumper,  I  wants  you  ter  come 
yer  an'  shake  ban's  wid  ]\Iistah  Slickry  Sly-fox  an'  do 
lak  you  had  some  raisih',  stidder  gwine  on  wid  dat  fist- 
an'-skull-fight  right  in  front  er  de  comp'ny.' 

"De  chillen  done  lak  she  tol'  'em,  an'  Fox  he  kep'  on 
'suadin'  an'  'suadin'.    Mis'  Molly  mighty  fond  er  gwine 

19 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

roun'  'joyin'  liusse'f  an'  she  ain'  none  too  fond  er 
hoiisewu'k,  so  las'  she  say,  ^Well,  Mistah  Sly-fox,  I 
dunno  how  in  de  worl'  I  gwine  wid  you,  'deed  I  don'. 
But  mebbe  I  kin  git  de  ol'  man  ter  look  atter  de  chillen, 
an"  ef  I  leave  plenty  er  pollygollic  an'  squilts  an'  hoar- 
houn'-an'-boneset  tea  fer  Bunny  an'  Honey,  I  reckon 
dey'll  git  on,  an'  I  kin  set  out  a  col'  snack  fer  'em  all 
'twel  I  git  back.' 

"So  she  call  de  ol'  man  ter  come  in  an'  min'  de 
chillen,  an'  I  tell  you  he  come  right  slow,  draggin'  his 
footses  an'  knockin'  de  ashes  outen  his  pipe.  She  show 
him  de  vittles  an'  gin  him  de  pollygollic  an'  squilts  an' 
de  hoarhoun'-an'-boneset  tea  an'  tol'  him  ter  dose 
Bunny  an'  Honey  ev'y  time  de}'  cried.  AVid  dat  de 
chillen  all  set  up  a  turr'bl'  squall,  but  she  ain'  pay  no 
'tention,  jes'  tucken  her  shawl  an'  a  ol'  baskit  an'  putt 
out  fer  de  branch  wid  Slickry  Sly-fox. 

"On  de  way  she  say,  'Mussy  me,  Mistah  Slickry,  w'at 
we  gwine  do  fer  poles  an'  lines  ?  I  wuz  so  boddered  up, 
gittin'  Vay  f'um  dem  chillen,  dat  I  ain'  think  nuttin' 
'bout  poles  an'  lines.' 

"  'Xemmine,'  sez  de  Fox,  sezee,  ^I  done  tuck  kyare  er 
dat.  I  kain't  be  pestered  kyar'yin'  poles  an'  lines  back 
an'  fo'th,  so  I  keeps  'em  hid  'way  in  a  ol'  holler  tree 
nigh  de  branch.  I'll  fit  you  out  all  right.  Mis'  Molly; 
don'  you  'sturb  yo'se'f  'bout  dat.' 

"Dev  went  'lono^  mio^htv  fren'ly  an'  familious,  an'  ol' 
Fox  git  so  monst'ous  p'lite  dat  las'  he  say,  ^I  'clar'  ter 
gracious,  ]\Iis'  j\Iolly,  you  mus'  'scuse  me  fer  bein'  so 
onmannerly  ez  ter  let  you  kyar'  dat  baskit.  'Tain'  fitten 
fer  a  lady  lak  you  ter  do  dat.  Please,  ma'am,  ter  lemme 
tote  de  baskit.' 

20 


MR.  FOX  AND  MOLLY  HABE  GO  FISHIXG 

"Mis^  Molly  she  gin  ^im  back  jes'  ez  good  'z  he  sont. 
She  say,  '^^Deed,  Mistah  Fox,  I  kain't  nohows  think  er 
lettin'  a  gemman  lak  you  be  seed  totin'  a  baskit;  you 
mus'n'  name  dat  ter  me  no  mo'/ 

"Fox  he  'sist  an'  'sist,  an'  Molly  she  kep'  on  makin' 
out  she  ain'  want  'im  ter  kyar'  de  baskit,  but  las'  she 
han'  hit  over  to  him,  dough  ef  dey'd  bin  anything  in  hit. 
Mis'  Molly  'd  a-seed  'im  furder  'fo'  she'd  a-let  'im  tote 
hit;  she  done  know  'im  too  well  fer  dat. 

"Las'  dey  come  ter  de  branch,  an'  Fox  he  putt  de 
baskit  on  de  groun'  an'  sot  down  on  a  log  ter  ketch  his 
win'  befo'  he  got  ter  wu'k.  Mis'  Molly  she  wuz  honin' 
ter  begin  de  fishin',  so  she  say  dat  ef  he'll  jes'  tell  'er 
whar  de  poles  an'  lines  wuz  hid,  she'd  go  an'  fotch  'em 
an'  git  de  bait  raidy. 

"Fox  he  say,  ^So  do.  Mis'  Molly ;  so  do.  Jes'  go  up  de 
branch  yonner  a  li'l  ways  an'  look  in  dat  ol'  holler 
sickymo'  dar  an'  you'll  fin'  a  lot  er  poles  an'  tackle,  an' 
you  kin  jes'  teck  yo'  ch'ice.' 

"She  went  skitin'  up  de  bank  an'  poked  'er  haid  inter 
de  sickymo'  tree,  lookin'  fer  de  poles.  Bless  goodness, 
'twan't  none  dar !  an'  w'at's  mo'  'tain'  nuver  bin  none. 
She  think  mebbe  she  done  gone  ter  de  wrong  tree,  so  she 
went  traipsin'  roun'  ter  ev'y  sickymo'  she  see  on  de  bank 
an'  git  husse'f  all  frazzle  out  widout  findin'  nair'  pole 
er  line,  w'ile  ol'  Fox  sot  up  on  de  log  smokin'  an'  laugh- 
in'  ter  hisse'f  over  Mis'  Molly  an'  de  poles. 

^Tjas'  she  come  back  an'  tol'  'im  dar  wan't  no  sicky- 
mo' wid  poles  inside,  an'  he  say,  he  do,  ^Wat  dat.  Mis' 
Molly?  You  tell  me  you  kain't  fine  dem  poles?  I'se 
'bleeged  ter  see  dat  wid  my  own  eyes  'fo'  I  kin  b'lieve 
hit,'  an'  wid  dat  he  pull  hisse'f  up  an'  mosey  ter  de  sick- 

21 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

vmo'.  Wen  lie  git  clar  he  poke  his  haid  inside  an'  den 
dror  hit  out  an'  squat  down  on  his  ha'nches  an'  drap  his 
jaw  open  lak  he'z  so  s'prise  he  kain't  talk.  Las'  he  say, 
^Well,  Mis'  Molly!  I'se  dat  flabbergasted  I  sca'cely  kin 
git  my  bref.  On'y  yist'd'y  I  wuz  yer,  an'  dem  poles  wuz 
all  safe  an'  soun',  an'  now  some  no-kyount,  consum- 
bunkshus  thief-er-de-worl'  done  bin  yer  an'  he'p  hisse'f 
ter  my  propputty.  I  wish  I  had  'im  yer  dis  minnit. 
I  'clar'  ter  you  I'd  jes'  natchelly  wear  dem  poles  out  on 
his  hide,  dat  I  would !  Seem  lak  a  half-way  decint 
pusson  orter  lef  me  jes'  one  pole  ter  putt  me  in  min' 
er  de  res'.  I  nuver  knowed  no  pusson  dat  mean  befo', 
lessen  'twuz  de  man  whar  shave  hisse'f  jes'  befo'  he  die, 
so's'ter  cheat  de  barber  outen  de  job.  Yer  you,  Mis' 
Molly,  done  come  all  dis  way  ter  go  fishin',  an'  nair'  pole 
er  tackle  fer  you.    Hit  sut'n'y  is  a  shame.' 

"Mis'  Molly  feel  kind  er  saw'y  fer  'im,  so  she  say, 
'^Oh,  nemmine,  Mistah  Slickry  Sly.  I  ain'  min'  dat  so 
much,  but  I  is  sort  er  disapp'inted  not  ter  teck  home 
some  fish  ter  de  chillens,  'kase  I  know  dey  all  fixin'  dey 
moufs  fer  a  nice  mess  dis  evenin'.' 

"Fox  he  study  a  w'ile  an'  den  he  say,  ^Well,  I  tell  you. 
Mis'  Hyar',  ef  you  be  willin'  ter  fish  lak  I  does,  now  an' 
den,  mebbe  we  kin  git  a  mess  fer  de  chillen  yit.  N'ow 
you  set  up  yer  on  de  bank  a  minnit  an'  I  show  you  dat 
ef  you  jes'  got  de  gumption,  you  kin  git  de  fish  widou^ 
no  tackle.  Hits  dat-a-way  in  de  fishin'  bizness,  any- 
hows ;  you  kin  have  all  de  pole  an'  line  you  wa  ..ster,  but 
ef  you  ain'  got  de  gumption  you  ain'  git  de  fish.' 

"Wid  dat  he  wag  hisse'f  down  de  bank  an'  stan'  on 
de  aidge  wid  his  nose  near  de  water,  peerin'  in,  an'  'long 
come  a  fool  young  fish  dat  ain'  know  'nuff  ter  know 

23 


MR.  FOX  AXD  MOLLY  HAEE  GO  FISHIXG 

w'at  'twuz  stanniir  st3'arin'  in  at  "er.  01'  Fox  aiii'  move 
a  muscle  'twel  cle  fish  wuz  right  beneaf  his  nose.  Den 
he  splunge  one  paw  in  an'  swipe  cle  fish  out  an'  Ian'  'er 
in  de  baskit  "fo'  she  kin  fiop  'er  fins  twict. 

"He  call  Mis'  ]\Iolly  down  ter  see,  an'  she  wuz  plumb 
tickelt  ter  def  wid  de  way  he  done  kotch  dat  fish.  She 
say,  'Well,  ef  uver  I  see  de  beat  er  dat  sence  I  bin  chaw- 
in'  vittles !  Mistah  Sly-fox,  Fse  'bleeged  fer  ter  git  you 
ter  Tarn  me  dat  way  er  fishin' ;  hit  beats  de  cl'  way  all 
holler.' 

"Fox  he  sav,  '  'Tain'  no  trick  't  all  ter  do  dat.  All 
you  gotter  do  is  ter  putt  yo'  nose  down  in  de  water  an' 
keep  jes'  ez  still  'z  dat  rock  yonner,  an'  de  fus'  fish  you 
see  beneaf  yo'  nose,  jes'  swipe  yo'  paw  in  an'  git  'er.' 

"Mis'  Molly  she  do  lak  he  tell  'er,  an'  stan'  dar  wid 
'er  nose  poke  down  so's't  hit  fetched  de  water,  fer  ol' 
Fox  ain'  let  on  to  *er  dat  he  kep'  his  nose  jes'  outen  de 
reach  er  de  water.  She  stood  dar  an'  she  stood  dar,  but 
no  fish  ain'  come  'long,  fer  ol'  Slickry  he  keep  up  a  loud 
talkin'  an'  make  all  de  rackit  he  kin  so's'ter  scare  de 
fishes  awa3^  She  stan'  dar  an'  she  stan'  dar,  an'  hit  git 
'long  to'des  night  an'  turn  colder  an'  colder,  an'  las'  Mis' 
Molly  git  tired  an'  say  she  b'lieve  she  'bout  raidy  ter  gin 
up  an'  go  home.  But  Fox  he  aig  'er  on  an'  tell  'er  not 
ter  budge,  'kase  he  sho'  dat  w'en  de  fishes  come  out  ter 
git  der  supper  dey  boun'  ter  come  dat  way.  Water  git 
colder  an'  colder  all  de  time,  an'  Mis'  Molly  'gun  ter 
shake,  an'  her  toofs  chatter  lak  she  have  de  ager.  Las' 
she  say,  ^  'Deed,  Mistah  Sly-fox,  I  kain't  stan'  dis  no 
longer ;  'deed  I  kain't.  I  gotter  quit  dis  minnit  er  drap 
yer  in  my  tracks ;  dat  I  has.' 

"Fox   he   chuckle   ter   hisse'f   lak   he   know   sump'n 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

mighty  funny^  an'  he  say,  sezee,  Tome  Tong,  den,  Mis' 
Molly;  'tis  mos'  night.  I  reckon  yo'  chillen  an'  yo'  ol' 
man  be  'spectin'  you  long  'fo'  dis.'  Wid  dat  he  pick  up 
de  baskit  wid  de  fish  in  hit  an'  mek  up  de  bank.  Mis' 
Molly  she  wuz  gwine  foller,  but,  bless  yo'  soul,  w'en  she 
go  ter  lif  'er  haid,  she  foun'  dat  her  nose  done  froze 
fas'  ter  de  water,  'kase  de  ice  bin  makin'  all  de  time  she 
wuz  stannin'  dar,  an'  oI'  Fox  know  dat  mighty  well 
w'en  he  call  'er  down  de  bank.  She  pull  an'  she  haul, 
an'  she  kick  an'  she  thrash,  but  'twan't  no  use ;  dar  she 
vraz  an'  dar  she  stay. 

"Fox  he  wuz  up  de  bank  jes'  laughin'  an'  kyar'yin 
on.  He  git  so  full  er  laugh  an'  fun  dat  las'  he  tuck  ter 
chasin'  he  own  tail  roun'  an'  roun'  in  a  succle,  jes' 
'zackly  de  wav  de  dogs  does.  Mis'  Molly  she  vear  'im 
gwine  on,  an'  she  sing  out,  ^Dat's  all  right !  You  got 
yo'  innin's  fer  onct  in  yo'  life.  High  time  you  did  done 
dat,  seein'  how  many  times  I  done  fool  you,  but  I  ses 
ter  you  dat  you  gwine  laugh  on  de  wrong  side  er  yo' 
mouf  befo'  I  gits  thu  wid  you,  sho'  ez  my  name's  Molly 
Hyar' ;  dat  you  is  !' 

"She  kep'  on  twis'in'  an'  turnin'  an'  tryin'  ter  wu'k 
'er  nose  free,  but  'twuz  long  time  'fo'  she  got  hit  a-loose, 
an'  den  she  hatter  leave  a  piece  er  de  skin  stickin'  ter 
de  ice.  W'en  Fox  see  she  wuz  onloose  he  stop  chasin' 
his  tail  roun'  an'  pick  up  de  baskit  an'  light  out  f'um 
dar  widout  stoppin'  ter  say  far'-A'ou-well,  an'  'twuz  long 
time  'fo'  he  had  de  insurance  ter  come  whar  Mis'  Mollv 
wuz. 

"  '^Um-umph !'  she  say,  ez  she  g'long  home,  ^dis  sarve 
me  right  fer  bein'  sech  a  fool  'bout  fishin'.  Fishermens 
ain'  got  no  sense,  nohows.    Seem  lak  de  chanct  er  gittin' 

24- 


MR.  FOX  AXD  MOLLY  HARE  GO  FISHIXG 

one'r  dem  li'l  scaly-backed  creeturs  jes'  crowds  ev'ything 
else  clean  outen  der  haids.  Yer  me,  no  fish,  nose  all 
skunt  "up,  dish  yer  th'ee-mile  walk  befo^  me  an'  a  hongry 
ol'  man  an'  cross  chillen  at  de  een'  nv  hit.  Atter  dis  I 
gwine  stay  home  an'  do  de  eatin'  an'  let  some  un  else 
do  de  ketchin'.' 

"Wid  dat  she  light  out  fer  home,  wid  her  nose  jes' 
a-achin'  her  so's't  she  kain't  nohows  hoi'  hit  still.  She 
keep  a-twitchin'  an'  a-wn'kkin'  hit  ter  git  some  ease, 
but  seem  lak  she  nuver  git  clean  over  dat  spe'yunce, 
'kase  de  hyar's  been  twitchin'  der  noses  uver  sence. 
Sometimes  hit  look  lak  dey's  mekin'  faces  at  you  an' 
actin'  sort  er  scawnful,  but  'tain'  so;  hit's  jes'  'kase  ol' 
Mis'  Hyar'  got  her  nose  fros'ed  dat  time  she  went  fishin' 
wid  Slickry  Sly-fox. 

"An'  now  I  gotter  quit,  fer  I  year  yo'  maw  callin'. 
ya'am,  comin',  jes'  ez  soon  'z  I  kin  git  dese  chillen  good 
an'  tuck  up  in  baid. 


}y 


26 


MR.  HAEE  IMITATES  MR.  BEAR 

The  next  morning,  after  breakfast,  the  children  heard 
a  strange  voice  in  the  region  of  the  back  porch  and  went 
out  to  investigate.  Aunt  'Phrony  had  come  up  to  the 
house  to  beg  for  quilt  pieces,  and  as  she  sat  on  the  porch- 
steps,  waiting  until  her  wants  could  be  attended  to,  the 
children  saw  her  for  the  first  time.  She  was  tall  and 
thin  and  very  straight,  with  high  cheek-bones  and 
piercing  dark  eyes.  She  wore  a  red  handkerchief  about 
her  neck  and  large  brass  rings  in  her  ears,  and  she 
claimed  Indian  blood,  in  proof  of  which  she  was  in  the 
habit  of  calling  attention  to  her  hair,  saying  "  ^twan^t 
no  nigger-wool."  In  fact,  while  it  was  closely  kinked, 
its  jetty  tint  and  finer  texture  distinguished  it  from  the 
coarse  and  rusty-black  hair  of  the  pure  African  type. 
When  questioned  as  to  her  ancestr}^,  she  would  say,  if 
in  a  communicative  mood :  "Yas,  Mars'  Torm  done 
buyed  me  and  brung  me  up  yer  f'um  Nawf  Ca'liny. 
My  daddy  wuz  a  Nawf  Ca'liny  Injun,  a  Churryl^ee,  an' 
my  mammy  she  wuz  a  slave-ooman,  dat  huccome  me  ter 
be  bawn  a  slave.  Ef  she'd  a-bin  a  Injun  an'  him  a  slave, 
den  I'd  bin  bawn  free,  'kase  de  chillen  alluz  b'longed 
wid  dey  mammy;  she  free,  dey  free;  she  slave,  dey 
slaves." 

As  Aunt  'Phrony  sat  with  folded  arms,  gazing  off  at 
the  rim  of  pines  that  formed  a  green  horizon  about  the 

26 


MR.    HARE    i:\riTATES    MR.    BEAR 

plantation,  she  looked  rather  forbidding,  very  different 
from  the  fat  and  laughter-loving  Aunt  Xancy.  The 
children  did  not  venture  near  until  she  pretended  to  be 
suddenly  aware  of  their  presence  and  condescended  to 
say,  "Is  dese  Miss  Janey's  chillen,  whar  I  done  year 
tell  ^bout  comin^  down  ter  see  dey  Uncle  Hinry?  Come 
yer  an'  lemme  see  ef  air'  one  er  you  favers  yo'  maw. 
Huh-uh !  jSTair'  one  half  ez  good-lookin'  ez  der  maw,  er 
uver  gwine  be.  But  I  dunno  ez  we  kin  'spec'  dat  f'um 
chillen  dese  days." 

Notwithstanding  this  unfavorable  verdict.  Aunt 
'Phrony  thawed  by  degrees,  and  presently  Ned  ventured 
to  ask  if  she  knew  any  tales.  She  shook  her  head. 
"Who?  Me?  Reckon  I  got  sump'n  else  ter  do  'sides 
studyin'  'bout  tales.  W^at  kind  er  tales  you  talkin' 
'bout  r 

"Why,  about  the  animals,"  explained  Janey;  "tales 
like  those  Aunt  Xancy  tells  us." 

At  the  bare  mention  of  Xancy,  Aunt  'Phrony  pricked 
up  her  ears,  for  the  two  women  were  ancient  and  im- 
memorial foes.  Plantation  gossip  said  that  Aunt 
Xancy  had  coolly  married  out  of  hand  the  very  man  on 
whom  Aunt  'Phrony  had  fixed  her  young  affections,  and 
had  never  been  pardoned  for  doing  so. 

"Dellaws !"  she  sniffed,  "dat  ooman  bin  tellin'  vou-all 
tales?  Mis'able  ol'  nigger  tales,  I  be  boun'.  Ef  I  wan't 
gittin'  so  bad  in  my  'memb'ance  an'  so  shawt  in  de  bref 
I  cu'd  whu'l  in  an'  tell  you  heap  er  Injun  tales  whar  I 
useter  year  my  daddy  tell ;  dey  beats  all  de  nigger  tales 
uver  wuz  knowed." 

"Did  any  of  the  Indian  stories  have  a  rabbit  in 
them?"  asked  Xed. 

27 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

"Rabbit?"  said  she.  "You  mean  oV  Hyar'?  We  ain' 
call  im  'Rabbit'  yer  in  Ferginny;  jes'  'oV  Hyar'/  er 
'Mis'  Molly  Hyar'/  er  'Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail.'  De 
creetur  go  by  all  dem  names.  Dar  wuz  a  Injun  hyar' 
an'  a  nigger  hyar',  an'  de  Injun  hyar'  cu'd  do  mos'  any- 
thing de  nigger  one  cu'd,  an'  mo',  too,  inter  de  bargum." 

"Aunt  'Phrony,"  said  Janey,  who  was  a  little  diplo- 
mat, "won't  you  please  tell  us  some  of  the  things  he 
did,  so  that  we  can  see  if  he  was  anything  like  Aunt 
Nancy's  hare?" 

'Phrony's  pride  was  aroused.  Determined  not  to  be 
outdone  by  Nancy,  she  sat  for  a  while  thinking  and 
then  began : 

"In  de  ol'  times  de  Hvar'  wuz  de  bes'  known  er  de 
creeturs  an'  de  bigges'  man  uv  all,  an'  dis  huccome  so: 
he  have  de  o'if  er  mummickin'  anyb'dv  an'  ev'yb'dy, 
an'  he  go  roun'  'mongs'  de  humans  lettin'  on  he  'z  dis 
pusson  an'  dat  pusson  an'  tu'rr  pusson,  an'  doin'  all 
sorts  er  harm  an'  mekin'  all  kin's  er  mischief  dat-a-way. 
Las'  de  people  git  tired  er  dis  an'  dey  say  dey  ain'  gwine 
stan'  hit  no  longer,  so  dey  git  up  a  big  hunt  an'  chase 
'im  clean  outen  dat  kyountry.  Den  he  go  'way  off  ter 
nu'rr  place,  whar  dey  ain'  know  'im,  an'  set  out  ter 
bamboozle  de  creeturs  same  'z  he  bin  doin'  wid  de  hu- 
mans, mekin'  out  he  'z  fus  one  thing  an'  den  nu'rr,  an' 
mummickin'  ev'ything  he  see  folks  do  er  year  'em  say. 
Dar  wuz  one  time  w'en  dem  smarty  ways  come  nigh 
bein'  de  def  uv  'im,  an'  dat  w'at  I  gwine  tell  you  'bout. 

"One  day  he  wuz  gwine  down  de  road,  jiggitty-jig, 
wid  one  vear  turnt  ter  de  back  an'  one  ter  de  front, 
so's't  he  kain't  miss  yearin'  ev'ything  dat  go  on.  w'en 
all  ter  onct  he  seed  Mistah  Growly  Grum-b'ar  comin', 

28 


MR.    HAEE    IMITATES    MR.    BEAR 

lookin'  mighty  big  an'  empawtant.  Hyar'  ain'  nuver 
met  up  wid  'im  befo'  an'  he  feel  kind  er  jubous  'bout  'im, 
so  he  scrouch  down  b}^  de  side  er  de  road  in  de  hopes 
Mistah  B'ar  ain'  gwine  notuss  'im.  But  B'ar  he  wall 
his  eye  roun'  an'  ketch  sight  uv  'im^  an'  he  stop  an'  look 
down  at  'im  outen  de  cornder  uv  his  eye,  lak  Hyar'  so 
small  he  sca'cely  kin  see  'im,  an'  den  he  say,  ^Souls  an' 
bodies !  who  dis  li'l  feller  skulkin'  yer  by  de  side  de 
road  ?  Is  I  uver  see  you  befo'  ?  I  kain't  seem  ter  'mem- 
ber hit,  but  den  I  done  knowed  so  many  creeturs  in  my 
time  dat  you  kain't  'spec'  me  ter  weight  down  my  min' 
wid  'em  all.  Co'se  dey  all  'members  me;  dey  kain't 
he'p  doin'  dat,  I  reckon,  but  dey  mus'n'  git  hu'ted  in 
der  feelin's  ef  I  kain't  kvar'  ^em  all  on  mv  min'.' 

"Hyar'  boun'  ter  mek  hisse'f  'greeable  ef  he  kin,  so 
he  say,  '^J^aw,  suh;  I  ain'  nuver  have  de  good  luck  ter 
meet  up  wid  you  befo',  but  ef  I  had,  I  cu'dden  'spec'  a 
sho'-'nuff  gemman  lak  you  is  ter  'member  no  sech  trash 
ez  w'at  I  is.  I  bin  yearin'  dis  long  time  dat  you  is  de 
bigges'  man  roun'  dese  parts,  an'  I  has  bin  might'ly  sot 
on  mekin'  3^0'  'quaintance.' 

"B'ar  right  please'  wid  dat  sort  er  talkin'  an'  he  ax 
Hyar'  ter  walk  'long  wid  'im  a  w'iles  so  dey  kin  git 
'quainted.  01'  Hyar'  go  sidlin'  'long  wid  'im,  tryin' 
ter  teck  big  steps  lak  him,  mighty  'feard  dem  big  feet 
gwine  tromple  on  'im,  but  bowin'  an'  scrapin'  an'  sayin', 
'Yassuh !'  ^Jesso,  suh !'  ^I  b'lieve  you,  suh !'  ontwel  Mis- 
tah Growly  Grum  think  he's  Big-man-me  fer  sho'.  An' 
I  tell  y'all  chillen,  noiv,  dat's  de  way  ter  git  on  wid 
folks.  Jes'  you  sing  small  an'  let  dem  In^ar'  de  heft  er 
de  chune. 

"'01'  man  B'ar  git  mo'  an'  mo'  empawtant  an'  g'long 

29 


AT    THE    BIG    HOrSE 

puffin'  out  his  chist  an'  layin'  down  cle  law  wid  one  paw 
slapped  on  tu'rr,  ontwel  dey  git  ter  his  house.  He  done 
mek  wp  his  min'  by  dat  time  dat  Hyar'  wuz  de  bes' 
comp'ny  he  met  up  wid  in  a  long  time,  so  he  'vite  him 
ter  come  in  an'  have  some  dinner.     Hvar'  sav  he  ain' 


kyare  ef  he  do,  an'  he  go  an'  set  down  by  de  fire  w^'iles 
Mistah  Growly  Grum  stir  roun'  'mongs'  de  pots  an'  de 
kittles. 

"All  de  time  dinner  wuz  cookin'  ol'  Hyar'  wuz  jes' 
a-layin'  hit  outer  Mistah  B'ar  wid  his  flattersome  talk. 


30 


MR.    HARE    IMITATES    MR.    BEAR 

Sezee,  ^"Well,  a'oii  sutVy  is  a  cook  f um  'way  back.  I 
con  b'lieve  secli  a  bioj  man  ez  w'at  you  is .  cu'd  be  so 
handy  ef  I  ain'  see  hit  fer  myse'f.' 

"Dar  wuz  a  pot  er  peas  on  bilin'^  an'  B'ar  look  roun' 
on  all  de  she'fs  fer  some  fat  ter  putt  in  wid  'em,  but 
'twan't  none  dar.  Den  he  tucken  out  a  knife  an'  sharp 
hit  up  a  li'l,  an'  ol'  man  Hvar's  heart  jump  up  in  his 
mouf  w'en  he  see  dat.  'Name  er  gracious !'  sezee  ter  his- 
se'f,  'lemme  git  outen  dis !  'Pears  ter  me  he  gittin' 
raidy  ter  kyarve  me  up  fer  de  dinner.  Jes'  my  luck ! 
Stidder  gittin'  sump'n  ter  eat,  I  is  gwineter  git  et  my- 
se'f.' 

"But  B'ar  wan't  studyin'  'bout  him.  He  jes'  walk  up 
ter  de  pot  an'  cut  a  li'l  gash  in  his  neck  an'  let  de  grease 
run  inter  de  peas.  'Tain'  hu*t  him  't  all,  'kase  de  b'ars 
gits  mighty  fat  in  de  fall  off'n  de  mast  whar  draps  f 'um 
de  trees.  Dey  jes'  stuffs  deyse'fs  den,  so't  dey  kin  sleep 
all  thu  de  winter  widout  wakin'  up  ter  git  sump'n  ter 
eat;  lives  off'n  cler  own  fat,  dey  does,  all  thu  de  col' 
wedder.  Well,  B'ar's  fat  wuz  so  monst'ous  thick  jes' 
den  dat  he  ain'  feel  de  cut,  an'  g'long  gittin'  de  dinner 
ez  ef  he  ain'  even  got  a  scratch  on  'im. 

"or  Hyar'  wuz  might'ly  please'  an'  clap  his  ban's  an' 
kick  his  heels  on  de  cheer-rungs,  and  mek  gre't  'miration. 
He  say  'twuz  de  bandies'  'rangemint  he  uver  see,  ter 
kyar'  yo'  bacon  roun'  wid  3^ou  in  yo'  own  hide,  an'  he 
'low  ter  hisse'f,  right  den  an'  dar,  dat  he  gwine  do  de 
same  thing  er  bus'. 

"Den  dey  drord  up  cheers  an'  sot  down  ter  de  table, 
an'  Mistah  Hyar'  'mence  gwine  on  'bout  de  dinner.  He 
say,  'You  mus'  'sense  me  ef  I  ax  fer  nu'rr  he'p  er  dem 
peas.     I  lak  ter  look  after  my  manners,  but  'deed  yo' 

31 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

cookin'  done  druv  'em  clean  outen  my  min'.  Yo'  fat 
got  a  flavor  to  hit  dat  suit  my  tas'e  prezackly;  'deed  hit 
have.' 

"He  run  on  dat-a-way,  an'  all  de  time  he  wuz  jes' 
a-honin'  ter  try  de  same  trick  hisse'f,  so  las'  he  tell 
Mistah  B'ar  he  gwine  gin  a  dinin'  nex'  day  an'  he  ax 
'im  will  he  come  'roun'  an'  he'p  'stroy  vittles.  He  say 
he  got  a  nice  mess  er  peas  he  gwine  treat  him  wid,  but, 
bless  yo'  soul,  de  peas  wuz  right  dat  minnit  in  his  naber- 
folkses  gyardins. 

"B'ar  he  say  he  come  ef  nuttin'  hinner,  an'  Hyar'  go 
kitin'  back  ter  steal  de  peas  fer  de  dinin'. 

"Nex'  day  Hyar'  go  out  ter  meet  Mistah  B'ar  an' 
bringed  'im  in  an'  fetched  a  cheer  an'  gin  'im  a  pipe. 
He  go  cavawtin'  roun'  de  room  lak  he's  on  springs, 
showin'  off  w'at  a  spry,  handy  man  he  wuz.  He  git  de 
peas  on  bilin'  an'  den  he  look  roun'  in  de  cubberd  fer 
de  fat.  Las'  he  say,  ^Well,  I'll  be  snickered !  ef  I  ain' 
fergit  de  fat  fer  dem  peas.  Now,  w'at  I  gwine  do? 
Kain't  gin  you  ol'  po'-trash  vittles  wddout  no  grease 
in  'em.'  Wid  dat  he  ups  an'  tecks  a  knife  an'  walks 
over  ter  de  pot  an'  cuts  a  li'l  gash  in  his  neck.  Lo,  be- 
holst  you !  nair'  smidgin'  er  grease  drap  out,  but,  mussy 
me !  how  de  blood  done  spurt  all  over  de  ha'th,  an'  li'l 
mo'  he'd  bin  a  goner  ef  Mistah  B'ar  ain'  bin  dar  ter  bine 
him  up  an'  doctor  him  atterwu'ds.  B'ar  wuz  a  right 
smart  uv  a  doctor  in  dem  days,  fer  he  spen'  so  much 
time  out  in  de  laurel  dat  he  know  all  'bout  yarbs  an' 
sech  ez  dat. 

"Wen  Hyar'  w^uz  on  his  footses  ag'in,  gwine  roun'  de 
house  mighty  limp  an'  low-down-in-de-valley,  Mistah 
B'ar  gin  him  a  sho'-'nuff  tongue-lashin'.     Sezee,  ^You 

32 


ME.    HAEE    IMITATES    ME.    BEAE 

moughter  knowed  dey  wan't  no  grease  in  a  mis' able  lean 
creetur  lak  you  is.  Yer  /  is,  all  fat  up  fer  de  winter; 
dat  de  time  w'en  I  gotter  lay  roim'  an'  snooge  an'  have 
no  chanct  ter  pick  np  vittles.  But  yon  is  on  de  go, 
keepin'  de  paf  hot  f'um  'ear's  een'  ter  'ear's  een.  I  lak 
ter  know  how  you  'spec's  ter  lay  up  fat  ?  Wat  mek  you 
think,  anvhows,  dat  you  kin  do  de  same  ez  me,  vou 
po'  li'l  knee-high-to-a-hoppah-grass  ?  Um-umph!  w'at 
sort  er  worl'  dish  yer  be  ef  all  mens  kin  do  de  same 
things  ?  You  bes'  g'long  now  an'  'tend  ter  yo'  own  biz- 
ness,  an'  set  dis  down  in  yo'  'memb'ance,  dat  dar  ain' 
no  pusson  mek  mo'  mistakes  er  git  mo'  laugh  at  dan  de 
man  whar  tries  ter  be  tu'rr  folks  stidder  bein'  hisse'f. 
You  year  me  talkin'.' " 


OQ 
•>-- 


THE  FRIENDSHIP  OF  ME.  BEAE  AND  MIS' 

TUEKEY 

"Well,"  said  Ned,  when  Aunt  'Phrony  had  finished 
the  story  of  how  the  hare  imitated  the  bear,  "1  always 
thought  that  bears  were  cross  and  ate  people  up.  I 
should  think  the  hare  would  have  been  afraid  to  have 
him  doctor  him.  I  wouldn't  want  any  old  bear  to  come 
fooling  around  me." 

"Who 'f card?  Hyar'?  Him!  Naw,  suh  !"  said  Aunt 
'Phronv,  "he  ain'  knowin'  w'at  'tis  ter  be  'feard  er 
anything  in  dis  'varsil  worl'.  Sidesen  dat,  I  done  tol' 
you  he  sof'-sawder  ol'  Mistah  B'ar  an'  gin  'im  'nuff 
sweet  talk  ter  fill  a  honey-gum.  But  Hyar'  he  wuz  mo' 
diff'nt  f'um  tu'rr  creeturs.  'Twan't  safe  fer  de  res'  un 
'em  ter  fool  wid  Mistah  B'ar;  'deed  hit  wan't.  Dat 
putt  me  in  min'  er  de  time  w'en  Mis'  Tukkey  think  she 
gwine  mek  f ren's  wid  'im,  an'  dis  how  hit  happen : 

"B'ar  useter  live  in  de  low-groun's  an'  wu'k  fer  his 
livin'  same  'z  tu'rr  folks,  but  atter  w'iles  he  git  tired  er 
dat,  an'  sezee,  '1  jes'  'bout  b'lieve  I  gwine  quit  wu'k  an' 
go  whar  I  kin  git  me  'nuff  ter  do  me  widout  usin'  so 
much  elber-grease  in  de  gittin'.  W'at  de  use  er  livin', 
anyhows,  ef  you  gotter  spen'  all  yo'  time  dustin'  'roun' 
atter  sump'n  jes'  ter  keep  de  href  er  life  in  you?  Naw, 
suh !  'tain'  wuf  de  w'ile,  lessen  vou  kin  do  a  lot  er  restin' 
up  an'  have  some  fun  inter  de  bargum.' 

'So  he  g'long  off  up  inter  de  big  mountains  an'  hide 

3-1 


<((, 


MPt.    BEAR    AXD    :\riS'    TURKEY 

hisse'f  erway  in  de  laurel  an'  res'  an'  sleep  jes'  w'en  he 
feel  lak  hit,  an'  de  balims  er  de  time  go  romantin'  up 
an'  down  de  mountains  kind  er  slow  an'  lazv,  sort  er 
studyin'  whar  he  gwine  putt  his  foot  down  nex',  'joyin' 
hisse'f  might'ly,  widout  doin'  no  wu'k  't  all,  jes'  pickin' 
up  sump'n  ter  eat  ez  he  trabel  'long,  an'  dat  wan't  hard. 
He  'uz  'tickler  fond  er  'lasses  an'  sweet  apples,  'kase  he 
got  a  mighty  sweet  toof,  but  honey  wuz  de  dish  w^'at  hit 
'im  in  de  bull's-eye  an'  go  ter  de  right  spot  ev'y  time. 
He  wuz  willin'  ter  tra])el  miles  ter  fin'  'im  some  honey, 
but  ef  he  kain't  fin'  any,  den  de  nex'  bes'  thing  wuz  a 
mess  er  raid  ants.  He'd  sleep  all  day  long  on  er  ridge 
in  de  wo'm  summer  days,  but  ef  nu'rr  b'ar  come  dat-a- 
way  an'  fetched  'im  a  li'l  tap  in  his  sleep,  he'd  r'ar  up  on 
his  behime  laigs  an'  den  dey'd  have  hit,  fer  all  de  worl' 
lak  dese  yer  prize-fighters,  boxin'  an'  cuffin',  an'  wres'lin' 
'twel  one'r  dem  wuz  th'own.  Den  tu'rr  un  'ud  grab  'im 
by  de  th'oat  an'  growl  an'  growl  'twel  you'd  'a  thought 
he  'z  gwine  eat  'im  up,  but  pres'n'y  he'd  onclinch  an'  let 
'im  go  wid  one  las'  growl  ter  tell  'im,  ^You  better  not 
fool  wid  me  erg'in,  suh.' 

"He  live  'long  dat-a-way,  eatin'  an'  sleepin',  wid  a 
li'l  walkin'  an'  fightin'  th'owed  in,  'twel  one  day  he  met 
up  wid  a  li'l  ol'  fool  wil'  tukkey.  She  was  mincin'  an' 
tippin'  'long,  fer  all  de  worl'  lak  dat  no-kyount  gal  er 
Aunt  Xancy's  w'en  she  git  on  her  Sunday  clo'es. 

"Pres'n'y  she  see  Mistah  B'ar,  an'  stidder  bein'  'feard, 
lak  she  orter  bin  ef  she  had  a  grain  er  sense  in  dat  li'l 
ol'  haid  er  her'n,  she  'mence  ter  mek  gre't  'miration. 
He  look  so  big  an'  strong  she  think  he  mus'  be  a  mon- 
st'ous  fine  man,  an'  dar  whar  she  git  fooled,  lak  lots  er 
wimmins  I  bin  knowin'. 

35 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 


(d 


'She  hop  up  in  front  er  him  an'  say,  '  'Sense  me,  3Iis- 
tah  Growly  Grum,  snh^  ef  I  axes  you  ter  stop  a  minnit 
an'  lemme  look  at  you.  Lan'  er  de  livin' !  I  nuver  is 
see  a  man  tall  ez  w'at  you  is.  An'  how  big  an'  strong 
you  looks,  an'  dat  long  brown  fur  you  wears  on  yo'  hide 
sho'  is  harnsum.  Please,  suh^  lemme  walk  'long  wid 
you  li'l  ways  an'  look  at  you  some  mo'  ?' 

"B'ar  kind  er  growl  sump'n  nu'rr  way  down  in  his 
th'oat  an'  she  tucken  hit  fer  yes  an'  go  tippin'  an' 
mincin'  'long  mo'  wusser  dan  befo',  mighty  proud  ter 
let  tu'rr  folks  on  de  mountain  see  'er  in  sech  comp'ny. 
Wen  dey  git  ter  Mistah  B'ar's  house,  she  stick  her  haid 
in  de  do'  an'  w'en  she  see  all  de  dirt  an'  de  mess,  for  he 
wuz  too  mawtal  lazy  uver  ter  clean  up  de  house,  she 
say,  she  do,  ^Oh,  me !  oh,  my !  Mistah  Growly  Grum- 
b'ar,  you  sut'n'y  does  need  a  ooman  ter  look  atter  you 
an'  cook  yo'  vittles  an'  tidy  up  de  house.  Please,  suh, 
ter  lemme  stay  an'  wu'k  fer  you,  an'  de  on'ies'  thing  I 
ax  is  de  priv'lidge  er  settin'  an'  lookin'  at  you  w'en  I 
isn'  busy.' 

"B'ar  say  ter  hisse'f,  ^Dish  yer  a  sho'-'nuif  bawn  fool, 
but  mebbe  she  kin  wait  on  me,  so  I  reckon  I  let  her  stay, 
fer  a  w'ile,  anyhows.' 

"So  he  say  to  'er,  ^Well,  Mis'  Tukke}^  sence  you  is  so 
pow'ful  sot  on  hit,  I  s'pose  you  kin  stay ;  but  you  mus"n' 
look  at  me  too  often,  'kase  I  ain'  use  ter  bein'  stvar'd 
at  an'  I  dunno  w'at  I  mought  do  ef  I  got  riled.' 

"Mis'  Tukkey  say  she  do  'er  lookin'  w'iles  he'z  ersleep, 
so  he  tell  er  ter  stay  ef  she  wanter. 

"Den  she  whu'l  in  an'  clean  up  de  house,  an'  cook  'im 
a  good  dinner,  an'  w^'en  he  tucken  a  nap  she  git  'er  a 


36 


ME.  BEAR  AXD  MIS'  TUEKEY 

li'l  bush  an*  keep  cle  flies  off  en  him,  an'  set  an'  look  an' 
look  ez  ef  she  ain'  nuver  gwine  see  'im  erg'in. 

"She  kep'  hit  up  dat-a-way  fer  so  long  time,  an'  git 
wusser  an'  wusser  'bout  liim  ev'y  day  ontwel  at  las'  she 
dunno  how  in  do  worF  she  gwine  keejD  f um  lookin' 
at  'im  w'iles  he  wuz  'wake. 

"Now  B"ar  he  had  de  fashion  er  gwineter  sleep  ev'y 
day  'bout  de  time  he  'mence  ter  git  a  li'l  hongry,  an' 
so  he  wuz  mighty  ap'  ter  dream  'bout  sump'n  nu'rr  ter 
eat,  an'  w'atsomuver  he  dream  *bout,  dat  de  thing  he 
'bleeged  ter  have  w'en  he  wake  up,  an'  he  alluz  g'longed 
out  an'  got  hit. 

"Mis'  Tukkev  fin'  dis  out,  so  ev'v  dav  w'en  he  wake 
up  she  step  to'des  'im  an'  say,  'Mistah  Growly  Grum, 
Mistah  Growlv  Grum,  w'at  vou  done  dream  'bout  dis 
time?  Please  fer  to  tell  me,  suh,  so  I  kin  know  w'at 
fixin's  ter  git  raidy  ter  go  wid  hit  fer  dinner.' 

"B'ar  he  'ud  tell  her,  an'  den  go  'way  an'  git  w'at- 
somuver  hit  mought  be. 

"Mis'  Tukkey  git  so  sot-up  on  kyount  er  'sociatin'  wid 
Mistah  B'ar  dat  tu'rr  creeturs  cu'd  sca'cely  putt  up  wid 
her  foolishness,  but  w'en  dey  talk  hit  over  dey  alluz 
tell  one  nu'rr  dat  sumjD'n  'bleeged  fer  ter  happen  ter 
teck  down  her  fedders. 

"I  done  tol'  you  she  git  mo'n  mo'  sot  on  Mistah  B'ar, 
an'  kep'  squintin'  at  'im  'roun'  de  cornders  an'  cuttin' 
her  eye  at  'im  w'en  he  wan't  lookin'  ontwel  de  wunner 
is  dat  he  ain'  ketch  'er  long  befo'.  But  his  eyes  wuz 
set  so  clost  toge'rr,  same  ez  wid  all  de  b'ars,  dat  hit 
mek  him  near-sighted,  an'  ef  he  see  you  a  li'l  piece  off 
he  ain'  kin  tell  you  f'um  a  stump.     But  Mis'  Tukkey 


37 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

git  so  owdacious  dat  atter  w'iles  he  do  ketch  'er,  an'  he 
soon  git  tired  nv  her  an'  her  foolishness.  He  ain' 
sayin'  nuttin',  *kase  he  wan't  knowin'  jes'  w'at  he  gwine 
do  'bout  hit.  Las',  one  day,  he  see  her  lookin'  at  him  jes' 
ez  he  wuz  wakin'  up  f  um  his  nap. 

"She  walk  up  ter  him,  same  'z  alluz,  an'  say,  ^Mistah 
B'ar,  Mistah  B'ar,  w'at  you  done  dream  'bout  dis  day?' 
An'  dat  ininnit  hit  come  inter  his  haid  dat  he  gwine 
fix  'er  den  an'  dar. 

"He  strotch  hisse'f  a  li'l  lak  he  wan't  quite  thu  wid 
his  nap  an'  den  he  eye  'er  up  an'  down  an'  he  say,  'Mis' 
Tukkey,'  sezee,  'you  is  growed  tol'ble  plump  an'  fat,  I 
see,  sence  you  bin  stayin'  in  my  house  an'  quit  yo' 
runnin'  up  an'  down  de  mountains.' 

"Mis'  Tukkey  kind  er  snigger  an'  look  down,  'kase 
she  mighty  please'  ter  have  him  notuss  'er.  'Yassuh,' 
sez  she,  'I  b'lieve  I  is  growed  mo'  plumper  dan  w'at  I 


wuz.' 


a  c 


'Ysls,  ma'am!  you  sho'ly  has  fat  up,'  sezee,  'an'  now 
I  ax  you  dis,'  sezee,  'ain'  I  tucken  you  in  my  house  an' 
fed  you  an'  gin  you  shelter,  an'  ain'  you  promuss  dat 
you  oon  look  at  me  'scusin'  w'en  I  wuz  sleepin',  an'  isn' 
you  done  bruk  yo'  wu'd  ?' 

"Mis'  Tukkey  she  stannin'  on  one  foot  lookin'  mighty 
oneasy,  an'  she  say,  she  do :  '  'Deed,  Mistah  B'ar,  you 
mus'  'scuse  me  dis  time,  'deed  you  mus',  'kase  I  kain't 
he'p  hit,  'deed  I  kain't.' 

"Den  he  riz  up  f'um  whar  he  wuz  settin'  an'  he  say, 
way  down  deep  in  his  th'oat  jes'  ez  growly  ez  he  kin, 
'You  mus'  'scuse  me,  too.  Mis'  Tukkey;  I  kain't  he'p 
myse't,  'deed  I  kain't.  You  ax  me  w'at  is  I  dream,  I 
tells  you  I  done  dream  "tukkey,"  an'  you  knowin'  me 

38 


MR.    BEAR    AXD    MIS'    TURKEY 

well  'miff  ter  know  dat  w'en  I  dream  tukkey  I  'bleeged 
ter  eat  tukkey/  an'  wid  dat  he  fell  'pun  'er  an'  she 
scuffle  some  an'  de  fedders  flew'd  'roun'  a  li'l  an'  den 
ev'y thing  mighty  quiet,  'kase  she  done  gone  whar  she 
cu'd  see  de  inside  er  Mistah  B'ar  stidder  de  outside.  De 
ereeturs  whar  she  bin  puttin'  on  airs  wid  say  hit  sarve 
'er  right  fer  tryin'  ter  keep  comp'ny  wid  'er  betters." 


"I  think  that  was  a  real  mean  old  bear  to  eat  her  up 
after  she  waited  on  him  and  did  so  much  for  him,  don't 
you,  Aunt  'Phrony  ?"  said  Janey. 

"Laws-a-mussy,  chil',"  said  Aunt  'Phrony,  who  had 
had  unfortunate  matrimonial  experiences,  "w'en  you  is 
ol'  ez  w'at  I  is,  mebbe  you'll  fin'  out  dat  ef  a  man  wants 

39 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

ter  git  slied  uv  a  ooman,  he  ain'  gwine  think  ^bout  w'at 
she  been  doin'  fer  'im,  he  jes'  fergit  ev'ything  'ceptin' 
dat  he  do  wanter  git  shed  uv  er,  dat's  'nuff  fer  him, 
an'  lie  don'  let  dat  outen  his  min'  ontwel  he  done  finish 
de  bizness. 

"Seem  ter  me  I  year  yo'  maw  callin'  me,  an'  I  reckon 
I  bes'  mosey  'long  upstairs  ef  I  'spec's  ter  git  me  any 
quilt-pieces  dis  day." 


40 


THE  TOAD,  THE  GEASSHOPPER  AND  THE 

EOOSTER 


Aunt  Xancy  lived  in  a  little  cabin  on  the  edge  of  the 
woods,  not  far  from  the  ''big  house/'  The  children 
were  not  long  in  finding  her  whereabouts  and  in  making 
the  acquaintance  of  her  granddaughter,  Cass}^  an  over- 
grown girl  of  seventeen,  who  was  just  beginning  to  have 
what  Aunt  Xanc}'  called  "fool  notions''  about  dress 
and  beaux;  and  also  that  of  her  dog.  Bouncer,  a  lean, 
hungry  and  disreputable  hound  by  whom  she  set  much 
store  on  account  of  his  pedigree  and  "p'ints."  Just  what 
his  valuable  points  were,  no  one  but  Xancy  had  ever 
been  able  to  discover,  though  many  a  neighbor  whose 
evening  meal  had  been  snatched  in  a  twinkling  beneath 
his  very  eyes  could  bear  witness  to  points  which  were 
considered  distinctly  undesirable. 

The  little  cabin  was  scrupulously  clean  within  and 
held  many  things  which  the  children  had  never  seen 
before — the  gay  patch-work  quilts  on  the  beds,  the 
strings  of  red  peppers  hanging  from  the  rafters,  the 
curious  old  salt-gourd,  polished  and  dark  as  mahogany 
from  years  of  service.  The  path  and  dooryard  were 
swept  clean,  and  at  one  side  was  a  little  garden  in 
which  flourished  homely  old-fashioned  flowers,  mari- 
gold, zinnias,  larkspurs,  princess'  feather,  cockscomb 
and  hollyhocks,  hardy  and  gay,  needing  no  coaxing  to 

41 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

cheer  these  humble  folk  with  their  coarse,  bright  beauty. 
Next  to  Bouncer  in  Aunt  Xancy's  affections  were  her 
precious  "posies";  Cassy  had  to  content  herself  with 
third  place.  The  little  people  fell  into  the  habit  of 
paying  frequent  visits  to  this  cozy  spot,  always  finding 
a  warm  welcome  from  Aunt  Nancy  and  often  getting 
the  treat  of  a  story  besides.  The  first  time  they  visited 
her  she  celebrated  the  occasion  by  relating  certain  do- 
ings of  the  toad,  the  grasshopper  and  the  rooster. 

"I  reckon  dar  wan't  no  mo'  livelier  creeturs  in  de 
oV  times/^  she  began,  "dan  w'at  dem  th'ee  wuz.  Mis^ 
Hoppah-grass,  w'icht  some  un  'em  called  her  'Mis^  Pop- 
eyes,' 'long  er  her  bulgy  eyes,  she  wuz  a  gre't  darnser, 
darnse  roun'  in  de  grass  all  day  long,  an'  dar  wuz  some 
talk  er  havin'  'er  up  befo'  de  meetin'  'longer  her  triflin' 
ways.  Toad-frog  he  spen'  all  his  time  gwine  huntin' 
atter  bugs  an'  sech,  an'  de  way  he  git  roun'  over  de 
groun'  wuz  a  caution  ter  snakes.  He  ain'  stop  ter  walk, 
jes'  natehully  lipt  up  f  \im  one  place  an'  went  ker-swish ! 
thu  de  air  an'  lit  on  de  nex'  place.  I  let  you  know  he 
wuz  a  soople  man  in  dem  days,  clat  he  wuz.  He  wuz  a 
curisome  sort  er  creetur,  anyways.  Jes'  lak  de  toad-frogs 
dese  days,  he  had  two  little  bags  er  white  juice  right  back 
uv  his  eyes,  an'  ef  anything  got  atter  'im  er  tried  ter 
ketch  'im,  he  Jes'  spurted  dat  juice  right  out  on  'em  an' 
dey  wuz  glad  ter  let  him  'lone.  You  kain't  'suade  no  dog 
ter  tackle  a  toad,  he  ain'  wanter  git  dat  p'ison  sprinkelt 
on  ^im.  Toad-frog  he  wuz  p'tickler  'bout  his  dress,  too ; 
git  'im  a  new  suit  er  clo'es  ev'y  now  an'  den,  jes'  lak 
de  toad-frogs  does  now.  Fus'  dey  'mence  splittin'  up 
de  back  an'  den  dey  know  hits  time  ter  pull  off  de  ol' 
clo'es,  w'icht  dey  skins  'em  down  over  der  legs  jes'  lak 

42 


THE    TOAD    AND    THE    EOOSTER 

Mars'  ^ed  do  his  li'l  trousers,  an'  cTey  pulls  an'  hauls, 
usin'  cler  nioufs  ter  he'j^  pull,  an'  w'en  de  ol'  clo'es  is 
off  dey  rolls  'em  up  in  a  bunnel  an'  jes'  natchully  swol- 
lers  'em,  dat  dey  does;  I  done  seed  'em  wid  my  own 
eves. 

"Chicken-roostah  he  wuz  a  monst'ous  fine  puffawmer 
wid  his  voice ;  he  ain'  do  much  but  practuss  hit,  an'  he 
wuz  dat  proud  he  kain't  wait  fer  de  daylight,  but  git 
up  early  in  the  mawnin'  an'  wake  tu'rr  folks  long  'fo' 
day  singin' : 

'Cock-a-doodle-deecUe-doo, 

I  Jcin  sing  mo'  loud  dan  you, 

Coclc-a-deedle-doodle-dee, 

Git  up  an  lissen,  folks,  ter  me!* 

"1  ain'  hatter  tell  you  dat  folks  wan't  likin'  'im  any 
too  well,  'kase  he  alluz  'mence  his  singin'  Jes'  'bout  de 
time  w'en  dey  wants  ter  turn  over  an'  have  nu'rr  li'l 
snooge.  Sidesen  dat,  dey  think  he'z  a  kin'  uv  a  ol' 
hypermocrit,  'kase  he  sa'nter  'long  wid  Mis'  Hen  an' 
de  chillens,  'tendin'  lak  he'z  he'pin'  scratch  fer  de  livin', 
an'  de  on'ies  thing  he  do  wuz  ter  light  in,  w'en  Mis' 
Hen  gin  a  cackle  ter  say  she  done  foun'  a  bug  er  a 
wu'm,  an'  snatch  hit  way  f'um  'er  'fo'  she  kin  say  Jack 
Robumsum. 

"After  w'iles  dey  git  tu'rr  creeturs  down  on  'em, 
'long  er  all  der  singin'  an'  darnsin'  an'  no-kyount,  shif '- 
less  ways,  an'  w'en  dey  see  dat,  dey  think  mebbe  hit 
time  ter  turn  over  a  new  leaf  an'  whu'l  in  an'  'arn  der 
livin'.  So  de}^  git  toge'rr  an'  have  a  confab  an'  mek 
up  der  min's   dat  dey  gwine  run  a  farm  in  cahoots. 

43 


AT    THE    BIG   HOUSE 

Roostah  he  wiiz  'p'intecl  ter  be  de  ploAv-han',  dat  'kase 
he  have  sech  strong  claws  jes'  fitten  fer  ter  scratch  up 
de  groun'  wid ;  Toad-frog  he  wuz  ter  be  de  hoe-han^, 
an'  Mis'  Hoppah-grass  she  wuz  ter  stay  home  an'  do 
de  cookin'  an'  look  atter  de  house. 

"Dey  'vide  de  'vidjun  er  de  wu'k  dis-a-way  fer  so 
long  time,  an'  dey  git  on  mighty  well  an'  wuz  might'ly 
please',  'kase  de  new  wan't  rub  off  yit,  but  pres'n'y  Mis' 
Hoppah-grass  she  git  kind  er  tired  an'  lazy,  fer  she  ain' 
nuver  do  a  lick  er  work  befo'  in  all  her  bawn  days. 
She  drap  de  skillit  an'  fall  back  in  a  cheer  an'  putt 
her  footses  on  a  stool  an'  tie  her  haid  up  in  a  hank'cher 
an'  say  she  feelin'  so  ailified  dat  she  know  she  in  fer 
a  spell  er  sickness,  but  dey  neenter  sen'  fer  de  doctor, 
'kase  she  sho'  she  gwine  die,  anyhows,  an'  she  wanter 
teck  her  own  time  to  hit  an'  not  be  hurried  inter  de 
nex'  worl'  bv  all  dat  truck  he  mek  folks  swoller.  She 
mought  'z  well  die  easy,  she  say.  She  talk  'bout  de 
doctor  plumb  scannelous,  'kase  she  ain'  want  him  ter 
come  dar  an'  let  out  de  news  dat  de  on'ies  thing  w'at 
ail  her  wuz  laziness. 

"Den  she  dim'  up  on  de  baid  an'  laid  dar  groanin' 
an'  kyar'yin  on,  an'  de  men-folks  stan'  roun'  an'  look 
at  'er  a  w'ile,  sort  er  he'pless,  an'  den  dey  ses,  ^Well,  I 
reckon  dar  ain'  nuttin'  we-all  kin  do,'  an'  dey  g'long  off 
ter  wu'k.  Eoostah  he  wuz  plowin'  in  a  fur  fiel'  an' 
Toad-frog  he  wuz  hoein'  near  de  house,  so  dey  'gree  dat 
he  better  git  dinner.  Dat  huccome  he  hatter  do  de 
hoein'  an'  de  cookin'  an'  tidy  up  de  house,  let  'lone 
waitin'  on  Mis'  Hoppah-grass;  she  fin'  sump'n  fer  'im 
ter  do  ev'y  five  minnits  endurin'  er  de  day. 

"Dey  kep'  hit  up  dat-a-way  ontwel  he  wuz  wo'n  ter 

44 


THE    TOAD    AXD    THE    ROOSTER 

a  frazzle,  an'  he  say  he  'bleeged  ter  have  siTmp'n  er 
ru'rr  ter  churr  him  wp  an'  drive  de  tire  away.  'Bout 
dat  time  he  earned  'cross  de  rim  iiv  a  ol'  meal-sifter  an' 
dat  putt  a  notion  in  his  min'.  He  tucken  de  rim  an' 
strotch  a  piece  er  sheepskin  over  hit,  an'  den  he  got 
him  a  piece  er  fence-rail  an'  whittle  hit  down  an'  fasten 
hit  on  de  rim.  Pres'n'v  he  fin'  a  ol'  cow-hawn  an'  he 
wu'k  dat  up  inter  pegs,  an'  den  he  git  him  some  cat- 
gut strings  an'  strotch  'em  'cross  de  sifter.  Den  he  screw 
'em  up  wid  de  cow-hawn  pegs  'twel  he  git  'em  in  chune 
an'  las'  he  swipe  one  han'  'crost  de  strings,  an'  suz !  she 
'mence  ter  talk,  an'  'twuz  a  sho'-'nuff  banjer !  one'r  dem 
reg'ler  ol'  plinketty-plunketty  nigger  banjers  whar  got 
mo'  git-up-an'-git  to  'em,  w'en  it  come  to  de  marter  er 
foot-shakin',  dan  any  er  dese  yer  shiny,  primp-up  ban- 
jers whar  hangs  in  de  sto'  winders  an'  tries  ter  git 
folks  ter  walk  in  an'  buy  'em.  Nigger  know  better'n 
dat! 

"W'en  Mistah  Toad-frog  git  de  banjer  chune  up  jes' 
'zackly  ter  suit  'im,  he  set  outside  de  do'  ev'y  day  w'ile 
de  dinner  cookin'  an'  pick  dese  yer  darnsin'  chunes 
whar  mek  even  chu'ch  members  feel  lak  dey  jes'  nat- 
chully  'bleeged  ter  git  up  an'  knock  time  wid  der  f  ootses. 
One  day  w'ile  he  wuz  pickin',  he  think  he  year  a  soun' 
er  darnsin'  on  de  flo'  inside.  'Day  er  grace !'  sezee,  ^is 
my  years  done  trick  me,  er  is  dat  darnsin'  ?  Kain't  be 
Mis'  Hoppah-grass,  'kase  she  too  po'ly.  Hit  'bleeged 
ter  he^  dough,  fer  she's  de  on'ies  pusson  in  dar.'  He  stop 
playin',  darnsin'  stop;  he  go  on,  darnsin'  go  on.  He 
putt  his  year  down  an'  lissen  at  de  banjer  ter  see  ef 
anything  rattle, — banjer  she  wu'kkin'  all  right,  den  he 
hnow  'twuz  Mis'  Hoppah-grass.     He  ain'  let  on,  an'  he 

45 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 


wait  on  'er  jes'  de  same,  but  w'en  Chickin-roostah  come 
home,  Toad-frog  tucken  him  off  a  liT  wa^^s  an'  he  say, 
']Mistah  Eoostah,  w'en  you  comes  ter  dinner  to-morrer, 
don'  you  git  up  on  de  fence  an'  crow  lak  you  bin  doin' 
ter  lemme  know  hit's  time  ter  dish  up  de  vittles ;  stidder 
dat,  you  creep  up  sofly  w'iles  I  pick,  an'  peek  in  thu 
de  do'.' 

"  ^Well,  befo'  de  king !'  sez  de  Roostah,  sezee,  Sva't's  in 
de  win'  now,  Mistah  Toad-frog?' 

"  'Xemmine,'  sez  de  Toad-frog,  ^you  g'long  an'  do  lak 
I  tells  you,  an'  I  boun'  you  see  a  sight  fer  sore  eyes.' 


.,J 


id 


'So  de  nex'  day  w'en  Eoostah  come  home  ter  dinner, 
stidder  crowin'  ter  say  he  be  dar  soon,  he  crope  up  ter 
de  do'  an'  peeked  in  thu  de  crack  w'ile  Toad-frog  pick 
de  banjer  'twel  she  plumb  talk,  an'  wish't  I  mought  die! 

46 


THE    TOAD    AXD    THE    BOOSTER 

ef  dar  wan't  Mis^  Hoppah-grass,  darnsin'  roim'  de  room 
jes^  ez  well  ^ez  she  uver  wuz.  She  caper  aii  she  twis'  ari 
she  turn  an'  she  do  de  back-step  an'  cut  de  pigeon-wing 
an'  wound  up  wid  de  double-shuffle.  Las'  uv  all  she 
lipt  up  an'  cracked  her  heels  toge'rr  an'  spun  clean 
roun'  in  de  air  befo'  she  lit  on  her  footses. 

"Eoostah  ain'  sa}dn'  nuttin',  he  jes'  beckon  ter  Toad- 
frog.  He  nuver  stop  pickin',  but  tiptoed  ter  de  do'  an' 
cut  one  eye  thu  de  crack,  an'  got  dar  in  time  ter  see  'er 
do  de  hi2:h-iump.  Dcv  wuz  dat  outdone  dev  kain't  say 
nuttin',  jes'  hunch  one  nu'rr  wid  der  elbers.  Den  Toad- 
frog  fell  back  on  de  bench  an'  went  on  pickin',  an' 
Eoostah  he  go  an'  git  up  on  de  bench  an'  crow  lak  he 
alluz  do  jes'  befo'  dinner. 

"Wen  she  year  'im  crow,  Mis'  Hoppah-grass  lipt  back 
in  baid  an'  drord  up  de  kivers  an'  done  lak  she  ain'  kin 
move  ban'  er  foot.  Den  Roostah  walk  in  an'  come  up 
to'des  de  baid  an'  he  say,  sezee,  ^Wellum,  how  you  come 
on  dis  mawnin'  ?' 

"She  wuz  pantin'  so  f'um  de  darnsin'  dat  she  sca'cely 
kin  git  her  bref,  so  she  roll  her  eyes  up  in  her  haid  an' 
say,  ^So  po'ly,  sca'ce  kin  talk.' 

"  ^Dat  'ar's  a  burnin'  fib !'  sezee.  ^I  boun'  you  I  mek 
you  git  up  f 'um  dat  an'  walk,  Mis'  Pop-eyes  V  sezee. 

"She  jump  outen  de  baid  an'  mek  fer  de  do',  an' 
Roostah  he  lit  out  after  her,  an'  dey  sut'n'y  had  it  den, 
fer  she  wuz  a  sho'-'nuff  jumper  an'  he  wuz  one'r  dese  yer 
shawt-legged  mens  whar  do  lak  dey  gwine  fall  all  over 
deyse'fs  w'en  dey  runs  fas'.  De}^  went  stavin'  thu  de 
yard  an'  over  de  fence  an'  'crost  a  fiel'  an'  den  back 
ergin,  an'  he  nigh  mos'  chase  'er  down  de  well.  Den 
she  mek  fer  de  grass  an'  think  she  gwine  hide  'way 

47 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

f'um  him  dar,  but  ho  putt  on  a  big  bus'  er  speed  an' 
kotched  an'  et  her  jes'  ez  she  wiiz  slippin'  inter  de 
grass. 

"I  reckon  y'all  done  seed  de  chickin-roostahs  chasin' 
de  hoppah-grasses  befo'  now,  an'  dish  yer  I  been  tellin' 
you  is  de  reason  dey  does  so.  Dey  ain'  fergit  her  'ceit- 
fulness,  an'  seem  lak  de}^  jes'  natchully  kain't  leave  a 
hoppah-grass  'lone  w'en  dey  sees  'er,  boun'  ter  run  her 
down  er  die." 


48 


ME.  TEEEAPIX  GETS  THE  NOSE-BLEED 


"Xow,  Aunt  Xanc}'/'  said  Janey,  when  the  old  woman 
had  finished  her  story  about  the  deceitful  grasshopper, 
"we  just  aren't  going  until  you  tell  us  another  story/' 

"Hi  yi !  w'at  kind  er  talk  is  dis  I  year  outen  de  mouf 
Tiv  a  li'l  white  lady !"  exclaimed  Aunt  Xancy,  who,  while 
secretly  flattered  at  having  her  little  friends  linger,  was 
such  a  stickler  for  politeness  that  she  could  not  let  a 
breach  of  it  pass.  Very  zealous  indeed  were  the  old 
mammies  about  forming  the  manners  of  the  children 
under  their  charge,  and  very  high  the  standard  of  po- 
liteness which  they  felt  should  belong  to  the  "quality.'' 
So  she  went  on:  "Is  dat  a  pooty  way  ter  ax  fer  nu'rr 
story?  Sidesen  dat,  is  I  said  anything  'bout  yo'  goin' 
home  ?  Xaw,  suh,  an'  I  oon  say  nuttin'  ef  y'all  set  dar 
'twel  de  day  er  judgmen'.  I  don'  treat  my  comp'ny  dat- 
a-way. I  hopes  I  know  my  manners  better'n  ter  ax  my 
comp'ny  ter  go  home,  lak  a  li'l  gal  ax  de  Thomp- 
son chillen  tu'rr  day  w'en  she  git  huffed  wid  'em." 

Gassy  had  been  watching  the  pots  and  pans  simmering 
on  the  hearth  in  preparation  for  the  modest  dinner, 
closely  watched  in  turn  by  the  greedy  Bouncer,  who  lay 
close  to  the  hearth  with  his  nose  in  his  paws,  appar- 
ently asleep,  but  with  one  eye  on  the  dinner.  Every 
time  she  passed.  Gassy  administered  a  little  furtive  pun- 
ishment, at  which  Bouncer  each  time  raised  up  the  voice 
of  complaint. 

49 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 


<'^ 


Look  yer,  gal,"  Aunt  Xancy  finally  inqnired,  "w'at 
ails  dat  dog  er  mine?''  Cassy  answered  innocently, 
"  'Deed  I  dunno,  granny,  he  'pears  ter  be  mighty  oneasy, 
startin'  an'  yappin'  dat-a-way  in  his  sleep." 

"Well,  you  come  outside  yer^,  wid  we-all,  an'  I  boun' 
you  my  dog  git  long  all  right,"  commanded  Aunt 
Xancy. 

"Law,  granny,"  said  the  girl,  "you  know  mighty  well 
dat  ef  I  leave  Bouncer  in  dar  wid  de  dinner  he  gwine 
git  hisse'f  outside  uv ,  hit  in  th'ee  shakes  uv  a  sheep's 
tail." 

"Well,  den,"  said  the  old  woman,  "jes'  you  bring  de 
dog  out  yer  wid  you  whar  I  kin  keep  my  eye  on  bote  un 
you;  I  ain'  gwine  have  my  dog  cuffed  by  no  j)usson, 
lessen  I  sees  fit  ter  do  hit  myse'f." 

With  that,  Cassy  and  the  reluctant  Bouncer  came  out 
and  joined  the  little  circle  about  the  doorstep.  Bouncer 
on  the  extreme  edge,  watching  his  chance  to  steal  into 
the  house  unperceived.  They  effected  a  welcome  diver- 
sion, for  Janey  was  feeling  rather  guilty  over  her  incivil- 
ity to  the  Thompson  children.  AYhen  Cassy  and  Bouncer 
had  subsided.  Aunt  Nancy  resumed  her  story  telling, 
relating  the  adventures  of  Molly  Cotton-tail  and  Mr. 
Terrapin  while  on  a  hunting  expedition. 

"Hit  happen  dis-a-way,"  she  began.  "One  time  Mis' 
Molly  Cotton-tail  an'  Mistah  Tarr'pin  wuz  tol'ble 
fren'ly  fer  a  right  smart  uv  a  spell,  an'  w'ile  things  wuz 
gwine  on  lak  dat.  Mis'  Molly  she  met  up  wid  him  one 
day  an'  she  say:  ^Mistah  Tarr'pin,  I  dunno  how  'tis 
wid  you,  suh,  but  I  is  sort  er  tired  er  de  vittles  I  bin 
havin',  jes'  dese  yer  peas  an'  cabbage  an'  gyardin'- 
truck  in  gin'l,  'long  wid  a  li'l  grass.     I  knows  you  bin 

50 


MR.    TEREAPIX    GETS    THE    NOSE-BLEED 

havin'  de  same  sort  er  stuff  an'  seem  ter  me  you  looks  a 
li'l  pincllin'.  Ef  we  eu'd  jes'  go  huntin'  an'  git  ow'se'fs  a 
li'l  fraish  meat,  I  boun'  you  we'd  pick  up  an'  feel  sprucy 
right  off.' 

"Tarr'pin  ain'  bin  notussin'  dat  he  felt  bad,  but  w'en 
Miss  Molly  talk  dat-a-way  he  felt  sort  er  doncey  an' 
painyfied  dat  minnit,  an'  he  say  he  spec'  'twould  do 
him  good  ter  have  a  li'l  meat-vittles,  so  wid  dat  dey  up 
an'  went  huntin'  toge'rr.  Dey  go  up  an'  down  de  woods, 
perusin'  roun'  fer  w'at  dey  kin  fin',  an'  w'iles  dey 
sa'nter  'long  Mis'  Hyar'  she  wuz  talkin'  an'  argyfyin' 
wid  Tarr'pin  'bout  dis  an'  dat,  tryin'  her  bes'  ter  ag- 
gervex  him,  'kase  she  wuz  chock  full  er  talk  an'  mighty 
please'  w'en  she  kin  fin'  an3'body  ter  'spute  wid  her. 
She  ain'  git  much  sassif action  f'um  Mistah  Tarr'pin, 
^kase  he  wan't  no  gre't  shakes  at  talkin'  an'  he  lak  ter 
do  ev'ything  slow  an'  easy,  'twuz  come-day,  go-day  wid 
him. 

"Mis'  Molly  so  tucken  up  wid  her  own  talk  dat  she 
ain'  notuss  w'at  gwine  on,  an'  dat  de  reason  she  ain' 
see  Mis'  Panter  comin'.  She  bin  rampagin'  up  an'  down 
de  woods  huntin'  fer  sump'n  ter  eat,  an'  'bout  de  time 
she  git  so  hungry  she  sca'cely  kin  stan'  hit,  she  seed 
'em  comin'.  '^Hyar'  uv  my  whiskers !'  sez  she,  '^dis  whar 
I  gwine  whu'l  in  an'  git  me  my  dinner.  Two  Ivin's  er 
meat  ter  onct,  lawsy,  lawsy,  w'at  luck  I  is  havin' !'  She 
see  dey  ain'  kotch  sight  uv  'er  yit,  so  she  mek  has'e  ter 
strotch  husse'f  'cross  de  road  an'  'tend  lak  she  daid. 

"Molly  Cotton-tail  so  busy  talkin'  dat  she  ain'  see 
Mis'  Panter  yit,  but  w'en  dey  git  ter  whar  she  wuz 
layin'  'cross  de  road,  Mis'  Molly  say :  ^Jumpin'  Jehosh- 
aphat !  ef  we  ain'  got  de  luck  dis  day,  Mistah  Tarr'pin, 

51 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

den  you  kin  call  me  a  sinner.  Yer  meat  all  raidy  ter 
ow'  lian's,  an'  fraish  kilt^,  too,  ef  I  ain'  mek  no  mistake, 
'kase  she  wo'm  yit/ 

"Den  Tarr'pin  lie  say,  sezee:  ^I  'spec'  you  is  right, 
Mis'  Moll}^  you  mos'  in  gin'ly  is.  But  dish  yer  w'at 
troublin'  me :  I  kaint  see  how  we  gwine  tote  dis  meat 
home,  'kase  look  lak  she  monst'ous  haivy.' 

"Mis'  Hyar'  she  putt  her  haid  on  one  side,  an'  cock 
one  year  up  an'  tu'rr  down  an'  look  fus'  at  Panter  an' 
den  at  Tarr'pin,  lak  she  wuz  medjin'  'em  bofe.  Las' 
she  'low,  she  do,  ^Mistah  Tarry-long  Tarr'pin,  you  know 
I  is  a  soon  ooman  an'  a  willin'  ooman,  but  I  ain'  got 
much  strenk  in  de  back-bone.  Now  you  got  de  hardes' 
back-bone  an'  de  bigges'  back-bone  fer  yo'  size  uv  any 
man  whar  I  knows,  an'  'pears  ter  me  dat  ef  I  kin  jes' 
git  her  laid  'cross  you  an'  git  you  started,  mebbe  we 
kin  mek  out  ter  tote  her  home.' 

"Tarr'pin  'gree  ter  dis,  so  he  run  his  haid  unner  Mis' 
Panter  an'  Mis'  Molly  gin  her  a  shove,  an'  dar  she  wuz. 
Den  ol'  Tarr'pin  move  off,  an'  ef  he  wuz  a  slow  man 
befo'  I  dunno  w'at  you  call  him  now,  slower  dan  'lasses 
in  Jinnawary.  Mis'  Hyar'  mek  out  dat  she  wuz  shovin' 
behime,  but  stidder  dat  she  mount  up  on  de  kyarkiss 
an'  po'  ol'  Tarr'pin  drug  her  'long,  too.  'Bout  dat  time 
he  say,  ^]\Iussy  me !  Mis'  ^lolly,  seem  lak  dis  meat  done 
got  heap  haivier  all  ter  onct !' 

"  ^In  co'se,  Mistah  Tarr'pin,'  sez  de  Hyar',  sez  she, 
^in  co'se  dat  'bleeofed  ter  be  de  wav,  fer  de  kvarkiss 
gittin'  mo'  colder  all  de  time,  an'  de  daider  she  is  de 
haivier  she  boun'  ter  be.' 

"  ^I  reckon  dasso,'  sez  de  Tarr'pin,  sezee,  an'  he 
g'long  pantin'  an'  puffin',  ^but  I  let  you  know,'  sezee, 

52 


MR.    TEERAPIX    GETS    THE    XOSE-BLEED 

^dish  yer  de  bigges'  contrac^  I  is  iiver  iinnertooken,  an' 
hit's  de  fus'  an'  de  las'  er  de  kin',  I  let  you  know  datf 

"All  de  time  dcv  'z  gwine  'long,  Mis'  Panter  she  jes' 
retch  down  one  claw  an'  scratch,  scratch,  scratch  mighty 
sof'ly  on  ol'  Tarr'pin's  neck,  so't  he  sca'cely  feel  hit, 
an'  pres'n'y  de  blood  'gun  ter  drip,  drip,  drip.  Atter 
w'ile  Tarrpin  he  seed  de  blood  drippin'  an'  he  'spose 
'twuz  a  fit  er  de  nose-bleed,  so  he  call  out,  ^Hi  I  Mis' 
Molly,  I  done  tote  so  hard  I'se  tucken  wid  de  nose- 
bleed, an'  I  be  'bleeged  ter  stop  at  de  branch  an'  sta'nch 
de  bleedin','  sezee. 

"  ^All  right,'  sings  out  Mis'  Hyar',  an'  she  dim'  down 
f'um  de  kyarkiss  an'  come  roun'  ter  de  front  an'  done 
lak  she  bin  pushin'  hard  all  de  way  an'  wuz  plumb  wo' 
out.  She  he'p  onload  an'  den  she  squat  down  by  Panter 
w'ile  Tarr'pin  go  ter  de  branch  ter  wash  de  blood  off. 
or  Tarr'pin  fin'  'twan't  no  nose-bleed;  stidder  dat 
sump'n  done  cut  his  neck  mos'  off.  'Bout  dat  time, 
w'en  he  'z  feelin'  mighty  weak  an'  skeery.  Mis'  Panter 
she  gin  a  spring  at  him  an'  she  think  she  done  got  him 
dat  time,  'kase  he  'z  too  weak  ter  git  'way  f'um  her. 
But  sho  I  ol'  man  Tarr'pin  wan't  bawn  yist'd'y.  He 
jes'  gin  a  roll  an'  over  he  went  inter  de  water,  an'  den 
he  wuz  safe,  fer  Mis'  Panter  wuz  lak  all  de  res'  er  de 
cats,  she  don'  go  in  de  water  ef  she  kin  he'p  hit,  she 
ain'  got  no  use  fer  gittin'  her  paws  wet.  Wen  Mis' 
Panter  see  Tarr'pin  wuz  clean  gone  she  say  ^Well,  I  get- 
ter have  my  dinner,  come  w'at  may,  go  w'at  may;  so 
I  'spose  I  hatter  putt  up  wid  dat  mis'able  lean'  li'l  Mis' 
Molly  Hyar',  mighty  po'  pickins  s\ie  is,  I  be  boun'.' 

"Wen  Mis'  Hyar'  see  de  kyarkiss  git  up  an'  spring 
atter  Tarr'pin,  she  wuz  dat  s'prise'  her  eyes  fair  jump 

53 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

outcn  her  liaid  an'  growcd  big  an'  roiin'  ez  saucers^  an' 
slie  jcs'  squat  dar  on  de  bank  mo'n  half  palyze  ontwel 
she  seed  Mis'  Panter  done  tnrnt  her  'tention  on  her. 
'Um-iunph !  gimme  leg-bail  outen  dis !'  sez  she  ter  hus- 
se'f,  an'  she  mek  tracks  fer  a  ol'  holler  tree  nigh  de 
bank.  She  wuz  a  mighty  spry  ooman,  but  dis  wuz  one 
time  w'en  hit  come  nigh  bein'  good-by-Mis'-Molly-Cot- 
ton-tail,  'kase  Mis'  Panter  wuz  so  clost  onter  her  dat  w'en 
she  run  inter  de  tree  she  nab  her  by  de  tail  an'  bit  hit 
plumb  off.  An'  dat  huccome  you  see  all  her  fambly 
gwine  roun'  uver  sence  den  wid  sech  a  mis'able  lil 
tuff  er  white  hva'r  in  de  place  uv  a  tail.  I  reckon  you 
done  year  folks  call  'em  cotton-tails  'fo'  now,  but  I  don' 
'spose  you  is  uyer  year  de  ol'  song  whar  run  on  *bout 
de  creeturs'  tails,  sump'n  lak  dis: 

Raccoons  tail  got  rings  all  roun, 

'Possum's  tail  go  hare, 
or  Hijar'  got  no  tail  at  all. 

Nut  tin'  hut  a  huncli  er  Jiya'r. 

^^Xex'  time  y'all  meet  up  wid  a  oV  Tarr'pin,  ef  you 
tek  de  trouble  ter  look  you  kin  see  dat  he's  made  in  a 
mighty  curisome  way  'bout  de  neck,  an'  dis  tale  I  jes' 
tol'  you  'splains  de  wharf o'.  Dat  lil  ridge  all  roun' 
is  whar  de  blood  git  crusted  atter  Mis'  Panter  saw 
mos'  thu.  IJyer  sence  den  his  haid  look  lak  hit  jes' 
kind  er  scrunched  down  in  his  neck  an'  mought  drap 
off  ef  you  shuk  him  right  hard." 

"An'  didn't  Mis'  Panter  ever  get  any  good  dinner?" 
asked  little  Kit,  evidently  sorry  for  the  hungry  ^ladam 
Panther. 

54 


MR.   TEREAPIX    GETS   THE    XOSE-BLEED 


<i^ 


^Xow  lissen  at  de  baby !"  cried  Aunt  Xancy.  ^^Bless 
yo^  soul,  honey,  I  reckon  you  kin  let  Mis'  Panter  alone 
fer  fillin'  husse'f  up,  sooner  er  later.  She  wuz  dat  kin' 
uv  a  creetur;  she  ain'  gwine  stop  'twel  she  do  fin' 
sump'n  nu'rr.  But  dis  wuz  de  time  wen  she  ain'  git 
Mistah  Tarr'pin  ner  Mis'  Hyar'  neener,  'scusen  de  een' 
uv  her  tail." 

Just  then  there  was  a  thud  inside  the  cabin,  which 
Aunt  Xancy  and  Cassy  both  seemed  to  associate  with  the 
absence  of  Bouncer,  who  had  taken  advantage  of  the 
absorbing  climax  of  the  story  to  steal  in  unperceived. 
They  hastened  in,  only  to  see  Bouncer  hurriedly  disap- 
pear through  the  back  door  with  a  ham-bone  in  his 
mouth.  Aunt  Xancy  was  full  of  wrath,  but  it  was  all 
directed  toward  Cassy  instead  of  the  dog.  "Look-a-yer, 
gal,"  said  she,  "ain'  I  tol'  you  'fo'  now  'bout  houn' 
dogs  ?  You  know  how  dey  is ;  dey  kaint  he'p  de  way 
dey's  made.  You  orter  be  'shame  er  yo'se'f  ter  temp' 
de  po'  dog  dat-a-way  wid  de  dinner.  Anybody  whar 
leave  good  vittles  settin'  on  de  ha'th  orter  know  w'at 
she  gotter  'spec'.  I  give  you  good  warnin',  gal,  after 
dis  you  gotter  keep  de  dinner  outen  de  reach  er  dat  dog, 
er  I  gwine  know  de  reason  w'y." 


55 


HOW  THE  TOSSUM'S  TAIL  BECAME  BARE 

The  children,  in  roaming  through  the  woods  one  day, 
came  in  siglit  of  the  little  clearing  where  Annt  'Phrony's 
cabin  stood,  so  hidden  in  the  midst  of  tall  pines  that 
its  existence  was  unsuspected  nntil  you  were  fairly 
on  it.  The  old  woman  was  in  her  tobacco-patch,  stoop- 
ing down  and  looking  the  plants  over  carefully,  leaf  by 
leaf,  in  search  of  insects. 

The  children  ran  toward  her  as  fast  as  their  little 
legs  could  carry  them,  crying :  "Oh !  there's  Aunt 
'Phrony  !  there's  Aunt  'Phronv !  Please,  Aunt  'Phrony, 
stop  and  tell  us  a  story." 

She  went  on  with  her  work,  looking  up  at  the  children 
sidewise,  now  and  then,  and  muttering  as  if  half  to  her- 
self:  "Dunno  no  mo'  tales,  dese  chillen  done  drug  'em 
all  outen  me  long  befo'  now.  Sidesen  dat,  s'pose  I 
stops  my  wu'k,  who  gwine  git  dis  'baccy?  W'y,  de 
bugs  an'  de  wu'ms,  dat  who.  An'  w'en  de  winter  done 
come  an'  I  wanster  set  'long  side  de  fire  wid  my  pipe, 
whar  I  gwine  git  me  any  'baccy?  Kin  y'all  tell  me 
dat  ?" 

"Buy  it,"  suggested  Janey;  "there's  lots  and  lots  of 
stores  in  town  where  they  don't  sell  anything  else." 

Aunt  'Phrony  raised  her  hands  and  rolled  her  eyes. 
"Fer  de  Ian'  sake  !"  said  she,  "does  v'all  think  I  made 
er  money?     Ain'  I  knowin'  dat  dar's  plenty  sto's  an' 

56 


HOW  THE  TOSSUM'S  TAIL  BECAME  BARE 

plenty  'baccy,  but  cle  money  ain'  so  plent}^,  I  kin  tell 
yon.     AVhar  you  reckon  I  git  de  money?'' 

'"Out  of  my  bank,"  piped  up  little  Kit,  nodding 
his  head  so  fast  that  the  yellow  curls  bobbed  and  danced 
on  his  shoulders,  "out  of  my  'ittle  bank.  I'se  dot  Tev- 
enty-five  coppers  in  it,  an'  I'll  div  'em  all  to  Aunt 
'Phrony  when  the  naughty  bugs  and  worms  eat  up  her 
'baccy/  'Es  I  will!" 

The  old  woman's  heart  was  softened  by  the  generosity 
of  the  little  boy,  so  she  stopped  work  and  gave  him  a 
hug,  saying :  "Bless  de  baby !  now  jes'  fer  dat  I  gwine 
gin  him  a  story  all  fer  hisse'f,  dat  I  is.  Ef  you  'haves 
3^o'se'fs,  de  res'  er  you  kin  lissen,  too,  I  reckon,  but  I 
wants  y'all  ter  know  dat  dis  tale  b'longs  ter  de  li'l  boy 
whar  settin'  right  yer  by  me. 

"I  nigh  mos'  think  I  gwine  tell  'bout  ol'  'Possum 
an'  his  doin's,  'kase  he's  de  man  whar  seem  ter  riz  up  in 
front  er  my  min'  dis  day.  Ef  y'all  ain'  seed  him, 
y'ain'  knowin'  dat  he  got  a  tail  mos'  ez  long  ez  w'at 
he  is,  an'  dat  bare  dat  Mistah  Rat  hatter  git  up  early 
in  de  mawnin'  ter  show  de  ekal  uv  hit.  But  in  de  day 
an'  time  whar  I  tells  you  'bout,  hit  wan't  dat-a-way. 
His  tail  wuz  jes'  ez  big  an'  bushy  an'  harnsum  ez  de 
one  ol'  Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox  have  sech  a  time  hidin' 
Vay  f'um  de  houn's  an'  de  hunters.  An'  ef  he  wan't 
proud  er  dat  tail,  den  I  dunno  proud  w'en  I  see  hit. 
Nair'  fine  day  dat  ol'  Mistah  Poky  'Possum  ain'  go 
perawderin'  thu  de  woods  wid  dat  tail  hilt  high  up  in 
de  air  fer  tu'rr  creeturs  ter  look  at  an'  mek  'miration 
over.  He  g'long  switchin'  hisse'f  sump'n  lak  Miss  Janey 
do  w'en  she  git  on  dat  new  raid  dress.  De  creeturs 
dey  stood  hit  fer  so  long  time,  an'  den  dey  call  a  meetin' 

57 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

ter  talk  de  bizness  over  an'  see  w'at  dev  gwine  do  ^Dout 
hit.  ^kase  dey  wiiz  all  er  one  min',  dat  snmp'n  'hleeged 
ter  be  done. 

'^^Mistali  Creechy  Cricket  he  wnz  dar,  tr^dn'  ter  keep 
a  still  tongue  in  his  haid  long  'nnff  ter  year  w'at  tn'rr 
folks  wuz  savin',  but  'twuz  mio^htv  hard  wu*k,  'kase  he 
wuz  one'r  dese  yer  talky-talky  mens  whar  wanster  keep 
der  chins  goin'  all  de  time.  He  nuver  let  his  oF  ooman 
slip  in  a  wu'd  f'um  one  'ear's  een'  ter  tu'rr;  you  ain' 
nuver  3'ear  a  chirp  yit  outen  Mis'  Cricket.  Ev'y  now 
an'  den  endurin'  er  de  meetin'  he  let  out  a  chirp,  an' 
dar  whar  he  putt  his  foot  in  hit,  fer  w'en  tu'rr  creeturs 
yearn  him,  dat  gin  ^em  a  notion,  an'  dey  ses  ter  one 
nu'rr,  *Hi !  he  de  one  ter  git  atter  ol'  'Possum  an'  gin 
'im  a  sho'-'nuff  tongue-lashin'  an'  tell  'im  jes^  prezackly 
w'at  we-all  thinks  uv  'im.' 

"So  dey  name  hit  ter  Cricket,  but  he  shake  his  haid 
an'  say,  ^Huh-uh,  gemmen,  I  lak  mighty  well  ter  'com- 
modate vou  'bout  dis,  but  me  an'  Mistah  'Possum  done 
fall  out  some  sev'l  'ears  back,  an'  sence  den  I  ain'  bin 
speakin'  wid  'im — w'en  I  kin  he'p  hit.'  Eight  dar  tu'rr 
creeturs  nudge  one  nu'rr  an'  wij^e  off  a  grin  on  der 
coat-sleeves,  fer  dey  knowed  Cricket  jes'  'bleeged  ter 
let  out  a  chirp  now  an'  den,  'kase  he  got  one'r  dese  yer 
tongues  whar  hung  in  de  middle  an'  wags  at  bofe  een's. 

"  ^Sho !  sho !'  dey  ses,  '^Mistah  Creechy,  is  you  sho'- 
'nuff  mad  wid  'im  ?'  He  say,  he  do,  'Dat  I  is !  an'  you 
say  good  reason  w'y  w'en  I  tells  you  'bout  hit.  I  wuz 
hoppin'  'long  one  day,  quiet  an'  peace'ble,  not  sayin' 
nuttin'  ter  no  pusson,  w'en  I  seed  'im  come  prancin' 
down  de  road,  wavin'  his  tail  an'  actin'  misfhtv  airish. 
Dat  sight  kind  er  rile  me,  an'  mebbe  I  sniffed  an'  let 

58 


HOW  THE  TOSSUM^S  TAIL  BECAME  BARE 

out  a  chirp  er  two  an'  ses  ^^um-iimph !"  I  ain'  so 
slio'  'bout  dat.  But  howsomuver  dat  mouglit  be,  he 
stoj)  me  an'  ses,  "Mistah  Creechy  Cricket,  I  done  bin 
wantin'  a  talk  wid  you  dis  long  time.  I  gotter  tell  you, 
fer  de  good  er  de  hull  passel  er  creeturs,  dat  yo'  voice 
ain'  true,  you  is  mo'  times  offen  de  key  dan  on  hit,  an'  me 
an'  all  de  res'  be  might'ly  'bleeged  ef  you  goes  off  som'ers 
by  yo'se'f  ter  do  dat  uverlas'in'  practussin'  whar  keeps 
folks  f'um  gittin'  dey  natchel  slumbers.  I  ain'  git  a 
wink  er  sleep  dese  fo'  nights  han'  runnin'."  I  ses  ter 
you,  gemmen,  clat  I  wuz  plumb  riled  by  dat,  'kase  not 
long  befo'  I  spen'  de  night  practussin'  my  voice  nigh 
de  holler  tree  whar  ol'  man  'Possum  sleep,  an'  I  'clar' 
ter  you,  I  done  year  him  snore  f'um  de  dark  ontwel  de 
daylight,  an'  w'at's  mo'  he  snore  so  loud  dat  I  kain't 
year  my  own  voice  an'  ain'  knowin'  whe'rr  I  sing  OV 
Hunderd  er  S'arcliin  Praises,  let  'lone  keepin'  on 
de  key.  I  ujd  an'  tol'  him  'bout  de  snorin',  but  he  ain' 
b'lieve  me  an'  jes'  laugh  in  my  face  an'  walk  off,  fer 
I  tell  y'all  hit  heap  mo'  easier  ter  mek  a  man  think 
black  is  white  dan  ter  mek  him  b'lieve  he  uver  snored 
a  snore ;  he  alluz  gwine  putt  de  blame  on  some  urr 
pusson.' 

"Cricket  git  so  mad  'bout  den  dat  he  kain't  say  nuttin' 
fer  a  minnit,  an'  de  creeturs  crowd  roun'  him  an'  aig 
him  on.  'Well,  Mistah  Cricket,'  dey  ses,  'he  sho'  did 
gin  you  imp'ence  !  Dat  'nuff  ter  aggervex  you !  Now  de 
time  fer  you  ter  git  even  wid  de  sassy  trash,  an'  we-all 
gwine  back  you  up.'  • 

"Dey  git  him  so  wu'k  up  dat  las'  he  say  he  do  de 
job,  but  he  oon  tell  'em  how,  'ceptin'  dat  he  ain'  gwine 
have  no  wu'ds  wid  'im.     Den  he  hurry  way  f'um  de 

59 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

meetin',  'kase  he  know  cf  he  stay  long  'nnff  he  'bleeged 
ter  tell  someb'dv  w'at  he  gwine  do. 

"Dat  night  he  crope  np  ter  de  holler  tree  whar  'Pos- 
sum wuz  sleepin'  an'  went  ter  wii'k  on  dat  tail  er  his'n. 
He  tucken  one  hya'r  at  a  time  an'  gnor  hit  mos'  thu,  an' 
dey  wuz  so  many  in  de  tail  dat  'twuz  a  all-night  job, 
an'  ef  he  ain'  bin  sech  a  soon  man  he  oon  git  thu  den. 
He  talk  'way  ter  hisse'f  all  de  time.  'Possum  sho'  would 
'a  yearn  him.;,  ^ceptin'  dat  he  snore  all  night  widout 
even  stoppin'  ter  turn  over.  Yit  w'en  ol'  man  Coon 
call  nex'  mawnin'  ter  ax  him  howdv,  he  sav  he  feelin' 
mighty  po'ly  an'  ain'  sleep  nair'  a  wink  endurin'  er  de 
night.  I  done  bin  year  humans  talk  lak  dat  befo'  now, 
an^  dey's  mio^htv  tetchv  ef  vou  tells  'em  dev  slep'  mo'n 
dey  think  fer.  Dat's  one'r  de  times  an'  'casions  w'en 
you  kin  fool  yo'se'f  mo'  easier  dan  not,  'kase  co'se  w'en 
3^ouse  'sleep  you  dunno  nuttin'  't  all  'bout  hit. 

"W'en  de  sun  git  good  an'  up,  Mistah  'Possum  go  out, 
same'z  he  bin  doin',  fer  ter  show  hisse'f  off  befo'  de  face 
an'  eyes  er  de  creeturs.  He  wus  prancin'  'long,  mon- 
st'ous  biggitty,  wid  his  tail  hilt  high  in  de  air,  w'en  he 
git  ter  a  damp,  swampish  place  whar  kind  er  gin  him  de 
sniffles.  He  fetch  a  big  sneege  whar  shuk  him  up  all 
over,  an'  I  'clar'  ter  you  dat  w'en  he  git  thu  ev'y  single 
hya'r  done  drap  offen  his  tail  an'  lef  hit  bare  an'  smoove 
ez  de  p'am  er  yo'  li'l  han'. 

"He  ain'  knowin'  nuttin'  't  all  'bout  dat,  dough,  an' 
g'long  airish  ez  uver  twel  he  come  ter  whar  Mistah 
Cricket  an'  a  passel  er  de  creeturs  wuz  layin'  low  fer  him 
ter  pass,  'kase  Cricket  done  tol'  'em  'bcut  w'at  he  done, 
an'  dey  knowed  de  hya'rs  wan't  gwine  stick  on  dar 
long. 

60 


DEY    SEED    'possum    SWITCHIX'    DOWN   DE   ROAD 


HOW  THE  TOSSUM'S  TAIL  BECAME  BARE 

^"^When  dey  seed  'Possum  switchin'  down  de  road, 
showin'  off  dat  oV  bare  tail  lak  'twuz  gre't  shakes,  anMie 
not  knowin'  any  diff'ns,  dey  bus'  out  laugh  in'  so  hard 
dat  some  un  'em  'bleeged  ter  lean  up  'gin  de  trees,  an' 
some  un  'em  git  so  sore  dey  hatter  hoi'  on  ter  der  sides 
ter  ketch  bref.  Cricket  so  pleas'  dat  he  kain't  hoi'  his 
tongue,  an'  he  chirp  up  loud  'z  he  kin, 

'/  do7ie  done  hit,  I  done  done  hit, 
Nair  a  hya'r  is  lef  upun  hitf 

"  'Possum  ain'  knowin'  w'at  Cricket  mean  by  dat,  but 
tu'rr  creeturs  shet  him  up,  an'  den  dey  smoove  down  der 
grins  an'  w^ait  for  de  ol'  feller  ter  come  up,  jes'  kind  er 
snortin'  an'  snickerin'  a  li'l  behime  one  han'  ez  dey  say, 
^Heyo,  Mistah  Poky  'Possum,  whar  dat  tail  er  yo'n? 
Wat  dat  'ar  you  drag  behime  ?  'Clar'  ef  dat  don'  beat 
my  time !  You  sho'  is  lef  yo'  tail  at  home,  you  sho'  is ! 
Yo'  tail  nuver  look  dat-a-way;  mus'  b'long  ter  Mistah 
Eat !  Lan'  er  gracious !  'Possum  done  bin  ter  de  bar- 
ber an'  got  him  a  clean  shave  dis  time  !' 

"Las'  'Possum  look  behime,  an'  gre't-day-in-de- 
mawnin' !  ef  t'wan't  nuttin'  dar  but  jes'  de  ghos'  uv  his 
ol'  tail.  He  felt  so  'shame'  uv  hit  an'  uv  de  way  he  bin 
showin'  off  dat  he  drap  down  right  den  an'  dar  an'  let 
on  lak  he  wuz  daid.  An'  sence  dat  time,  w'ensomuver  he 
see  folks  comin'  he  git  ter  thinkin'  'bout  dat  bare  tail 
an'  'memb'in'  how  fine  hit  useter  be  an'  how  biggitty 
he  useter  ac'  'bout  hit,  an'  he  feel  so  mossified  over  hit 
all  dat  he  alluz  drap  down  an'  roll  over  an'  'tend  dat 
de  bref  er  life  done  gone  outen  him.  Heap  er  times  he 
fool  folks  whar  ain'  knowin'  him. 

61 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 


<i-\ 


^Disli  yer  tale  'splains  how  'tis  'Possum  come  ter 
change  his  ways,  an'  stidcler  sleepin'  in  de  night-time  he 
sleep  all  day  an'  walk  all  night  so's't  his  bare  tail  kain't 
be  seed.  Folks  whar  hunt  him  gotter  go  by  night  an' 
kyar'  torches  wid  'em  so's't  dey  kin  th'ow  a  light  on  him 
and  let  him  know  dey  sees  dat  ol'  bare  tail. 

"Wen  de  creeturs  seed  him  layin'  dar  lookin'  lak  he 
sho'-'nnff  daid,  dey  felt  kind  er  saw'y  fer  him,  an'  dey 
go  roiin'  sayin'  ter  one  nu'rr  dat  de}^  reckon  he  wan't 
sech  a  monst'ous  fool  atter  all.  But  Cricket  he  mighty 
sharp  an'  up-ter-snuff,  an'  he  kind  er  have  his  'spicions 
er  'Possum,  so  he  stay  hidin'  roun'  w'en  de  res'  go  'way, 
an'  bimeby  he  see  'im  git  up  an  teck  nu'rr  look  at  de  tail 
an'  go  slinkin'  off  in  de  bresh.  Den  Cricket  jump  up 
on  a  high  bush  an'  sing  at  de  top  er  his  voice : 

'I  done  done  liit,  I  done  done  liit, 
Nair  a  liycir  is  lef  upun  hit/ 


cc 


^An'  he  so  might'ly  please'  wid  w'at  he  done  dat  he  bin 
keepin'  up  dat  song  uver  sence,  an'  you  kin  year  him 
at  hit  all  night  long,  lessen  you  sleep  ez  soun'  an'  snore 
ez  loud  ez  w'at  ol'  man  'Possum  useter." 


62 


WHY  THE  TOSSUM  HAS  BLACK  EAES 

The  children  were  becoming  proficient  in  the  art  of 
obtaining  stories,  and  Janey  in  particular  had  early  dis- 
covered that  a  successful  method  of  getting  another  was 
to  ask  questions  about  the  last  one,  so  she  made  haste  to 
say : 

"Aunt  ^Phron}',  after  the  'Possum's  tail  became  bare 
were  the  animals  friendly  with  him,  and  did  they  like 
him  any  better  ?" 

"Law  bless  you,  honey,"  she  said,  "he  wuz  a  chana^e' 
man,  he  wuz  dat.  He  ain'  have  nuttin'  lef  ter  give 
hisse'f  de  hio^hfalutins  'bout,  an'  he  mio:htv  'shame'  uv 
his  foolishness,  so  he  go  roun'  grinnin'  at  ev'y  pusson 
he  meet  an'  tryin'  to  curry  favor  wid  ev'yb'dy,  an'  he 
bin  doin'  dat  uver  sence.  I  boun'  you  he'd  grin  at  you- 
all  ef  he  met  up  wid  you.  Tu'rr  creeturs  git  so  dey 
kind  er  lak  him,  an'  dey  ses  ter  one  nu'rr  dat  he  sut'n'y 
look  ter  be  a  pleasan'  sort  er  pusson.  Sidesen  dat,  he 
ain'  have  nuttin'  lef  fer  'em  ter  be  enviable  'bout,  an' 
hit  heap  mo'  easier  ter  lak  folks  whar  ain'  got  nuttin' 
you  wants  an'  ain'  seem  ter  be  no  mo'  empawtant  dan 
w'at  vou  is. 

"So  dey  treat  'Possum  kind  er  decent,  an'  las'  him  an' 
^listah  Tarry-long  Tarr'pin  git  ter  be  mighty  thick. 
Hit  wuz  'long  to'des  de  fall  er  de  'ear,  jes'  after  fros', 
w'en  de  'simmons  is  ripe,  an'  ol'  man  'Possum  wuz 
lookin'  right  plump  an'  fat,  'kase  he  bin  gawjin'  hisse'f 

63 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

wid  'simmons.  'Possums  is  pow'ful  fond  iiv  'em,  an'  dat 
de  reason,  I  reckon,  dat  some  folks  calls  'em  ^  'possum- 
apples'  'stidder  'simmons.  But  whatsumuver  name  you 
calls  'em  bv,  I  knows  dcA^  meks  misrhtv  sfood  'simmou 
beer."  Here  she  began  humming  as  if  to  herself, 

"Sezee  ter  liissef,  '^Yid  right  good  l-yare 
Til  meh  two  gallo7is  er  'simmon  heer/  " 

Ned,  who  was  very  fond  of  music,  begged  Aunt 
'Phrony  to  give  them  the  whole  song,  which  she  finally 
did,  protesting,  however,  that  "  'twan't  nuttin'  but  one'r 
dese  yer  ol'-time  nonsense  songs,  nohow,"  and  that  it 
had  nothing  to  do  with  the  'Possum,  but  was  all  about 
a  lazy  person  whose  habits  cost  him  his  lady-love.  It 
w^as  called 


THE   YOUNG    MAN   WHO    WOULDN'T    MAKE    CORN 


Gwine  sing  a  li'l  song,  an  Hain  vey  long. 
All  ^hout  a  young  man  dat  oon  meJc  cawn; 
De  reason  w'y  I  nuver  cud  tell, 
^Kase  dis  young  man  ivuz  alluz  ivell. 

He  go  ter  his  farm  an  lie  peep  in. 
Grass  an  de  hog-weeds  up  ter  his  chin. 
Grass  an'  de  hog-weeds  growed  so  high 
Dey  meh  dis  young  man  fer  ter  sigh. 

Goes  ter  his  neares'  nal)er's  house. 
Goes  a-co'tin',  ez  ive-all  s'pose; 
De  gal  wuz  a  peart  un,  sho'z  yo'  hairn, 
Sez  she,  'Young  man,  has  you  hoed  yo'  cawnf 

64 


WHY  THE  'POSSUM  HAS  BLACK  EARS 

'Oh,  no,  no,  no,'  wuz  his  reply, 
'I  think  hit's  time  I  laid  hit  hy,' 
But  hefo'  he  plant,  hit  wuz  July, 
An'  in  Septemher  he  laid  hit  hy. 

In  October  dar  come  a  ichite  fros'. 
An'  de  seed  uv  caivti  dis  young  man  los'; 
Sez  de  gal,  Tse  single,  an  so  icill  remain, 
Fer  a  lazy  man  I  icon't  maintain.' 

One  fruit  tree  on  his  farm  dar  grew. 
An    ev'y  'ear  bore  some  good  fruit,  too; 
Sezee  ter  hisse'f,  'Wid  right  good  kyare 
I'll  mek  two  gallons  er  'simmon  beer.' 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

"But  nemmine  de  beer,  lemme  git  back  ter  de  tale. 
W^en  Tarr'piii  see  how  fat  ^Possum  look,  he  say,  ^See 
yer,  Brer  Poky  'Possum,  seem  ter  me  you  lookin'  right 
plump  an'  peart  dese  days,  an'  yer  me,  so  po'  dat  you 
kin  see  ev'y  bone  in  my  body;  jes'  feel  me  if  y'ain' 
b'lieve  me.  I  is  a  plumb  skillitin.  I  wish  you  tell  me, 
suh,  w'at  you  bin  doin'  ter  fat  up  dat-a-way.' 

"Den  'Possum  grin'  an'  he  say,  sezee,  ^Dat  my  sekert, 
but  you  is  my'  f ren'  an'  I  don'  min'  tellin'  you.  Well, 
suh,  I  gits  dis-a-way  in  de  fall  'long  er  de  'simmons. 
'Simmons  is  ripe  den,  an'  dar  ain'  nuttin'  ekal  to  'em 
fer  puttin'  de  kiverin'  on  a  man's  bones.  I  sut'n'y  is 
saw'y  ter  see  you  look  so  swivel  up  an'  pindlin',  an'  ef 
you  kin  keep  a  still  tongue  in  yo'  haid,  I  tek  you  out 
one'r  dese  nights  an'  git  you  a  mess  er  'simmons.  'T won't 
do  ter  let  tu'rr  creeturs  know,  'kase  dey  oon  be  'nuff  ter 
go  roun';  mebbe  you  has  notuss  dat  dar  ain'  no  mo' 
sca'cer  tree  dan  de  'simmon  tree.' 

"Tarr'pin  say:  'I  sut'n'y  is  s'prise.  I  bin  thinkin' 
'simmons  wan't  wuff  shucks  fer  eatin',  'kase  onct  I 
tucken  one  in  my  mouf,  an'  suz !  she  drord  so  dat  my 
mouf  swunk  up  'twel  I  wuz  'feard  I  wan't  nuver  gwine 
be  able  ter  tek  in  a  good  moufful  er  vittles  ag'in.' 

"'Possum  laugh  fit  ter  kill  at  de  idee  er  Mistah 
Tarr'pin  eatin'  green  'simmons.  Sezee :  '  'Tain'  ev'y  pus- 
son  got  de  sense  ter  tek  things  at  de  right  time;  seem 
lak  mos'  un  'em  mus'  grab  right  in,  an'  dar  whar  dey 
come  out  missin'.  I  reckon  dat  how  'simmons  come  ter 
have  sech  a  bad  name  wid  mos'  folks.  But  de  fros'  done 
bin  yer  now.  Brer  Tarry-long,  an'  'simmons  is  prime, 
an'  ef  you  won't  tell,  I  tek  you  'long  wid  me  dig  ve'y 
night.' 

66 


WHY  THE  TOSSmi  HAS  BLACK  EAES 

"OF  Tarr'pin  he  say,  'I  cross  my  heart,  siih,  dat  I 
won't  tell,  Meed  an'  Meed,  an'  double  'deed.'  So  dat 
night  'Possum  tueken  him  thu  de  woods  ter  a  tall  tree 
whar  wuz  jes'  ez  full  er  'simmons  ez  she  kin  stick. 
*Xow,  den,  Mistah  Tarr'pin,'  sezee,  '^you  gvrine  stay  do^^^l 
yer  on  de  groun'  an'  I  gwine  climb  de  tree  an'  shake 
fer  you.'  He  went  a-kitin'  up  de  tree,  swingin'  f  um  one 
limb  ter  tu'rr  by  dat  long  tail  er  his'n,  whar  he  cu'd 
wrop  roun'  things  heap  easier  sence  de  hya's  all  fell 
off,  'twel  he  fair'  mek  ol'  Tarr'pin's  haid  swim.  He 
shake  an'  he  shake  an'  he  shake,  an'  de  'simmons  fall  an' 
dey  fall  an'  dey  fall,  an'  all  de  time  he  shuk  he  wuz 
singin' : 

*"  'Possum's  up  de  'simmon  tree. 

Go  'long,  Josey ; 
Oil,  please,  Mistah  'Possum,  ter  shaJce  fer  me. 

Go  'long,  Josey,  go  'lotig. 

De  tree  mighty  tall,  an'  de  limb  mighty  hare. 

Go  'long,  Josey; 
Teh  hyare,  Mistah  'Possum,  tek  kyare,  tele  hyare. 

Go  'long,  Josey,  go  'long. 

I  houn  you,  oV  'Possum  gwine  tek  good  hyare. 

Go  'long,  Josey; 
Dough  de  tree  mighty  tall,  an  de  limb  mighty  bare. 

Go  'long,  Josey,  go  'long. 

He  wrop  his  tail  all  roun  de  limb. 

Go  'long,  Josey; 
You  hin  shall e  de  'simmons,  but  you  hain't  shahe  him. 

Go  'long,  Josey,  go  'long.' 
67 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 


ic  i^ 


'Possum  wu*k  on  so  busy  dat  he  done  fergit  ev'y- 
thing  else,  an'  pres'n'}'  he  git  ter  shakin'  harder  an' 
harder  an'  singin'  louder  an'  louder.  'Bout  den  Mistah 
Wolf  come  lopin'  'long  thu  de  woods  an'  yeard  him. 
^Now,  w'at  kind  er  outlan'ish  gwines  on  is  dis,  in  de 
daid  er  night?'  sezee  ter  hisse'f ;  '^I'se  'bleeged  ter  turn 
outen  my  way  an'  see  'bout  dis.' 

"Wen  he  git  ter  de  tree  he  see  po'  ol'  Tarr'pin  stuffin' 
hisse'f,  an'  he  say,  sezee,  ^Mistah  Tarr'pin,  w'at  sort  er 
lay-out  is  you  got  dar  ?'  Tarr'pin  say,  he  do,  ^Oh,  dish 
yer  jes'  a  li'l  medincin  I'se  tekin'  'kase  I'se  kind  er  run 
down  an'  po'ly.' 

"Wolf  he  'low  hit  look  ter  him  ez  ef  some  er  dat 
medincin  'ud  'gree  wid  him  might'ly.  Sezee,  "^I  think 
hit  nigh  'bout  jes'  suit  my  case,'  an'  wid  dat  he  wade 
plumb  inter  de  'simmons  an'  et  'em  up  so  fas'  dar  wan't 
none  lef  fer  Mistah  Tarr'pin,  'kase  lie  nuver  hurry 
'bout  anything,  not  even  de  puttin'  'way  uv  his  vittles. 

"  'Possum  up  in  de  tree  seed  w'at  gwine  on  below,  an' 
sezee  ter  hisse'f,  ^Now  dis  de  time  an'  'casion  w'en  I 
gwine  fix  Mistah  Wolf  so's't  he  kain't  gobble  up  urr 
folkses  'simmons  fer  one  w'ile,  mis'able  ol'  big  mouf !' 

"He  tuck  an'  tuck  a  rock  he  kyar'd  wid  him,  an'  he 
wrop  his  tail  good  an'  tight  'roun'  a  limb,  an'  he  lean 
outen  de  tree  so'ster  tek  good  aim,  an'  he  drap  hit  so 
close  ter  ol'  Wolf  dat  li'l  mo'  she'd  'a  hit  him  on  de  nose. 
Wolf  year  her  fall  ker-chug !  an'  she  thump  so  haivy  he 
think  hit  mus'  be  mighty  big  'simmon,  an'  he  'low  ter 

r 

hisse'f  dat  he  gotter  have  dat  un  ter  fill  up  de  las' 
chink  uv  his  stummick.  He  'z  dat  greedy  he  ain'  stop 
ter  bite  ner  tas'e  ner  chew;  he  jes'  swoller  her  hull, 
an'  stidder  gwine  down,  dar  she  stuck ;  he  kain't  gulp  her 

68 


WHY  THE  'POSSUM  HAS  BLACK  EAES 

down  ner  cough  her  up ;  clar  she  wuz  an'  dar  she  stay. 
He  roll,  he  waller,  he  kick,  lie  cough,  he  try  ter  call  fer 
he'p,  but  'tain'  no  use,  an'  I  let  you  know  'twan't  long 
'fo'  he  stop  kickin'  an'  strotch  hisse'f  out  an'  jes' 
natchelly  die  fer  de  want  er  href. 

"Den  'Possum  he  skunt  down  do  tree  in  a  hurry  an' 
'zamine'  de  kvarkiss  ter  see  ef  he'z  sho'-*nuff  daid. 
^Um-umph  I'  sezee,  *^look  lak  dat  medincin  ain'  'gree  wid 
Mistah  Wolf  well  'z  he  think  fer.  Dat  'z  a  monst'ous 
big  pill  he  try  ter  swoller,  but  w'en  folks  come  'long  yer 
an'  fin'  him  dey  kain't  blame  us,  fer  dey'll  see  de  'sim- 
mons  stickin'  ter  his  mouf,  an'  den  dev'll  know  he  wuz 
dat  big  a  fool  he  ain'  kin  tell  de  diff'ns  'twix'  'simmons 
an'  flint  rocks.  Le's  we  hurry  up  an'  git  outen  dis,  but 
'fo'  I  goes  I  gwine  cut  off  his  years  an'  tek  'em  home  ter 
my  fambly,  'kase  dey  ain'  gwine  b'lieve  hit  lessen  dey 
sees  hit.' 

"De  fambly  wuz  might'ly  sot  up  over  de  killin'  er 
Mistah  Wolf,  an'  'Possum  tuck  ter  wearin'  de  years 
stuck  on  over  his  own.  Dat  huccome  de  wolfs  ter 
'spicion  who  kilt  der  daddy,  an'  dar  come  mighty  nigh 
bein'  trouble. 

"I  done  fergit  ter  tol'  you  dat  Wolf  had  black 
years,  an'  dat  w'y  de  Injun  folks,  uver  sence  'Possum 
bin  wearin'  dem  borryed  years,  calls  him  ^de  animuel 
wid  de  black  years.'  My  daddy  he  wuz  a  Injun,  an'  he 
done  tol'  me  de  tale  an'  de  name  er  de  'possum  in  Churry- 
hee,  but  hit  soun'  so  curisome  I  done  fergit  hit.  An' 
now  vou-all  bes'  run  'long  home,  mos'  time  fer  vo'  din- 
ner,  an'  lemme  look  after  de  bugs  on  dish  yer  'baccy- 
patch  er  mine. 


69 


>? 


HOW  MR.  TEREAPIX  LOST  HIS  BEARD 


The  "cook-house''  stood  at  some  little  distance  from 
the  "big  house/'  and  every  evening  after  supper  it  was 
full  of  light  and  noise  and  laughter.  The  light  came 
from  the  fire  on  the  huge  hearth,  above  which  hung  the 
crane  and  the  great  iron  pots  which  Eliza,  the  cook, 
declared  were  indispensable  in  the  practice  of  her  art. 
To  be  sure,  there  was  a  cook-stove,  but  'Liza  was  wedded 
to  old  ways  and  maintained  there  was  nothing  "stove 
cooked"  that  could  hope  to  rival  the  rich  and  nutty 
flavor  of  ash  cake,  or  greens  %'iled  slow  an'  long  over 
de  ha'th,  wid  a  piece  er  bacon  in  de  pot." 

The  noise  and  laughter  came  from  a  circle  of  dusky 
and  admiring  friends,  for  Aimt  'Liza  was  a  great  favorite 
with  everybody  on  the  plantation,  and  though  hunch- 
backed and  homely,  had,  nevertheless,  had  her  pick,  as 
she  was  fond  of  boasting,  of  the  likeliest  looking  men  on 
the  place;  and  though  she  had  been  twice  wedded  and 
twice  widowed,  aspirants  were  not  wanting  for  the  posi- 
tion now  vacant  for  a  third  time.  Indeed,  not  long  be- 
fore, a  member  of  the  family,  on  going  to  the  cook-house 
to  see  why  dinner  was  so  late,  had  discovered  one  Sam, 
the  burly  young  ox-cart  driver,  on  his  knees,  pleading 
very  earnestly  wdth  the  elderly  and  humpbacked  little 
cook,  while  dinner  simmered  on  and  on,  unnoticed  and 


70 


HOW  ME.  TEEEAPI^^  LOST  HIS'  BEAED 

forgotten.  AVlien  remonstrated  with  she  said  that  she 
was  "  'bleeged  ter  have  co'tin'  times  ez  well  ez  de 
res'  er  folks/'  and  intimated  that  in  affairs  of  the  heart 
these  things  were  apt  to  happen  at  any  time  or  place, 
and  that  if  a  gentleman  chose  an  inopportune  moment 
"  'twan't  her  fault/''  and  no  one  could,  with  any  show  of 
reason,  expect  her  not  to  pay  attention  to  him.  She 
ruled  everybody,  her  white  folks  included,  though  just 
how  she  did  it  no  one  could  sav,  unless  she  was  one  of 
those  commanding  spirits  and  born  leaders  who  some- 
times appear  even  in  the  humblest  walks  of  life.  It  is 
possible  that  her  uncommonly  strong  will  compelled  the 
affections  of  her  male  admirers,  but  it  is  also  possible 
that  she  condescended  to  flatter,  and  it  is  certain  that  she 
fed  them  well. 

One  night,  between  supper  and  bedtime,  the  children 
heard  the  sound  of  a  banjo  proceeding  from  the  cook- 
house. Thev  had  never  ventured  into  Aunt  'Liza's  do- 
main  before,  but  the  plinketty-plunk  of  the  banjo,  the 
sound  of  patting  and  the  thud  of  feet  keeping  time  to 
the  music  drew  them  irresistibly.  Aunt  N^ancy  was  there, 
in  the  circle  about  the  embers,  as  was  also  her  old-time 
foe.  Aunt  'Phrony,  and  the  banjo  was  in  the  hands  of 
Tim,  a  plow-boy,  celebrated  as  being  the  best  picker 
for  miles  around.  Lastly,  there  were  Aunt  'Liza  and  her 
latest  concjuest,  Sam,  whose  hopes  she  could  not  have  en- 
tirely quenched  or  he  would  not  have  beamed  so  com- 
placently on  the  assembled  company. 

There  was  a  hush  as  the  three  little  heads  appeared  in 
the  doorway,  but  the  children  begged  them  to  go  on, 
and  so  Tim  picked  away  for  dear  life  and  Sam  did  a 


71 


AT    THE    Bia    HOUSE 

wonderful  doublo-sliuflle  with  the  pigeon-wing  thrown 
in.  Then  Tim  sang  a  phmtation  song  about  *^'Cindy 
Ami^^  that  ran  something  lilv:e  this : 

Fse  gwine  doivn  ter  Richmond, 
ril  tell  you  w'at  hit's  for: 
Fse  gwine  doivn  ter  Richmond 
Fer  ter  try  an'  end  dis  war. 

Refrain:     An -a  you  good-by,  Cindy,  Cindy, 
Good-by,  Cindy  Ann; 
An -a  you  good-by,  Cindy,  Cindy, 
Fse  givine  ter  Rappahan. 

I  con  ma'y  a  po'  gal, 
Fll  tell  de  reason  w'y: 
Her  nech  so  long  an  sl'iimy 
Fse  'feard  she  nuver  die. 


Refrain. 


I  oon  ma'y  a  rich  gal, 
Fll  tell  de  reason  w'y: 
Behase  she  dip  so  much  snuff 
Her  motif  is  nuver  dry. 

Refrain. 

I  ru'rr  ma'y  a  young  gal, 
A  apple  in  her  han', 
Dan  ter  ma'y  a  widdy 
Wid  a  house  an  a  lot  er  lan\ 

Refrain. 
72 


HOW  MR.  TEREAPIX  LOST  HIS  BEARD 

At  the  reference  to  a  "widch"*'  he  winked  at  the 
others  and  looked  sio:nificantlY  at  Sam  and  Aunt  'Liza. 
Then  he  declared  it  was  the  turn  of  the  ladies  to  amuse 
the  gentlemen.  Aunt  Xancv  and  Aunt  'Phronv  cried, 
"Hysh  !  Go  'way,  man  !  Wat  ken  we-all  do  ?  Done  got 
too  ol'  f er  foolishness ;  leave  dat  ter  de  gals  \"  But 
^Liza  was  not  inclined  to  leave  the  entertainment  of 
gentlemen  to  "gals,"  whom  she  declared  to  ])e,  for  the 
most  part,  ''wuf'less  trunnel-baid  trash." 

"Come,  come,  Sis'  'Phronv,  an'  you,  too,  Sis'  Xancy," 
said  she,  "you  knows  dar  ain'  nn'rr  pusson  on  de  place 
kin  beat  you  bofe  in  der  marter  uv  tellin'  tales.  I  ain' 
nuver  have  de  knack  myse"f,  but  I  knows  a  good  tale 
w'en  I  years  hit,  an'  I  bin  gittin'  myse'f  fixed  fer  one 
uver  sence  you  comed  in." 

The  children  added  their  petitions,  seconded  by  Tim 
and  Sam.  Aunt  Xancy  looked  as  if  she  were  feeling 
around  in  the  dusk  of  half-forgotten  things  for  a  dimly 
remembered  story,  joerceiving  which  the  nimbler-witted 
Aunt  'Phronv  made  haste  to  sav  that  she  believed  she 
knew  a  story  which  might  please  the  company  if  they 
were  not  too  hard  to  suit.  They  politely  protested  that 
such  was  far  from  being  the  case,  whereupon  she  began 
the  story  of  how  the  Terrapin  lost  his  beard. 

"L"m-umph !"  snorted  Aunt  Xancy,  "who  uver  year 
tell  uv  a  tarr'pin  wid  a  by'ud  I" 

"Look-a-ver,  ooman,"  said  'Phronv,  "who  tellin'  dis, 
me  er  you?  You  s'pose  I'se  talkin'  'bout  de  li"l  ol'  no- 
kvount  tarr'pins  dev  has  dese  davs  ?  Xaw,  suh  !  I'se 
tellin'  'bout  de  ol'  time  Tarr'pin  whar  wuz  a  gre't  chieft 
an'  a  big  fighter,  an'  w'ensomuver  tu'rr  creeturs  come 
roun'  an'  try  ter  pay  him  back,  he  jes'  drord  his  haid  in 


^3 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

his  shell  an'  dar  lie  wiiz.  Dish  yer  ain'  no  ol'  nigger 
tale,  neener,  dish  yer  a  Injun  tale  whar  my  daddy  done 
tor  me  w'en  I  wan't  no  bigger'n  Miss  Janey.  He  say  dat 
sidesen  de  by'ud,  Tarr'pin  had  big  wattles  hangin'  down 
beneaf  his  chin,  jes'  lak  de  tukkey-gobblers  has  dese 
days.  Him  an'  Mistah  Wi'yiim  Wir-tiikkey  wuz 
mighty  good  fronts  dem  times,  an'  Tnkkey  he  thought 
Tarr'pin  wuz  a  monst'ous  good-lookin'  man.  He  useter 
mek  gre't  'miration  an'  say,  ^Mistah  Tarry-long  Tarr'pin, 
you  sut'n'v  is  a  harnsum  man.  Dar  ain'  nu'rr  creetur 
in  dese  parts  got  such  a  by'ud  an'  wattles  ez  w'at  you 


is.' 


"^ 


^Den  Tarr'pin  he'd  stroke  down  de  by'ud  an'  swell 
out  de  wattles  an'  say,  ^Sho !  sho !  Mistah  Tukkey,  you 
done  praise  dese  yer  heap  mo'n  w'at  dey  is  wuf,'  but  all 
de  same  he  wuz  might'ly  please',  fer  dar's  nuttin'  lak  a 
li'l  bit  er  flatt'ry  fer  ilin'  up  de  j'ints  an'  mekin'  folks 
limbersome  in  der  feelin's. 

"Tukkey  git  ter  thinkin'  so  much  'bout  de  by'ud  an' 
de  wattles  dat  seem  ter  him  ez  ef  he  kain't  git  long 
nohows  lessen  he  have  some  fer  hisse'f,  'kase  in  dem  days 
de  gobblers  ain'  have  none.  He  study  an'  he  study,  but 
he  kain't  see  whar  he  kin  git  'em,  an'  de  mo'  he  study  de 
mo'  he  hone  alter  'em.  Las'  he  git  so  sharp  set  atter  'em 
dat  he  ain'  kyare  how  he  git  'em,  jes'  so  he  git  'em,  an' 
den  he  mek  up  his  min'  he  gwine  tek  'em  'way  f'um 
Tarr'pin.  So  one  day  w'en  he  met  up  wid  him  in  de  road 
he  stop  him  an'  bob  his  haid  an'  mek  his  manners  mighty 
p'litely,  an'  he  say,  sezee,  ^Mawnin',  Mistah  Tarry-long, 
mawnin'.  How  you  come  on  dis  day?  I  ain'  hatter  ax 
you,  dough,  'kase  you  done  look  so  sprucy  wid  yo'  by'ud 
all  comb'  out  an'  yo'  wattles  puff'  up.     I  wish,  suh,  you 

74 


HOW  MR.  TERRAPIN  LOST  HIS  BEARD 

lemme  putt  ^em  on  fer  a  minnit,  so's't  I  kin  see  ef  I 
becomes  ^em  ez  good  ez  w'at  you  does/ 

"Or  man  Tarr'pin  mighty  easy-goin'  an'  'commo- 
datin',  so  he  say,  'W'y,  sut'n'y,  Mistah  Tukkey,  you  kin 
tek  'em  an'  welcome  fer  a  w'iles.'  So  Tukkey  he  putts 
'em  on  an'  moseys  down  ter  de  branch  ter  look  at  hisse'f 
in  de  water.  ^Whoo-ee!'  sezee  ter  hisse'f,  *^ain'  I  de 
caution  in  dese  yer  fixin's !  I'se  saw'y  fer  de  gals  now, 
I  sut'n'y  is,  'kase  w'at  wid  my  shape  an'  dish  yer  by'ud 
an'  wattles,  dar  gwine  be  some  sho'-'nuff  heart-smashin' 
roun'  dese  diggin's,  you  year  me  sesso !' 

"Den  he  go  struttin'  back,  shakin'  de  by'ud  an'  swellin' 
out  de  wattles  an'  jes'  mo'n  steppin'  high  an'  prancin' 
w'ile  he  sing : 

'Cle'r  outen  de  way  fer  oV  Dan  Tuclcer, 
Youse  too  late  ter  git  yo'  supper." 

"Den  he  say,  sezee,  ^Mistah  Tarr'pin,  please,  suh,  ter 
lemme  keep  dese  yer?  I  b'lieve  I  becomes  'em  mo'n 
w'at  you  does,  'kase  my  neck  so  long  an'  thin  seem  lak 
I  needs  'em  ter  set  hit  off  mo'n  w'at  you  does  wid  dat 
shawt  li'l  neck  er  yo'n  whar  you  keeps  tuck  'way  in  yo' 
shell  half  de  time,  anyways.  Sidesen  dat,  you  is  sech  a 
runt  dat  you  g'long  draggin'  de  by'ud  on  de  groun',  an' 
fus'  news  you  know  hits  'bleeged  ter  be  wo'  out.  You 
bes'  lemme  have  hit,  'kase  I  kin  tek  good  kyare  uv  hit.' 

"Den  Tarr'pin  say,  sezee,  'I  lak  ter  'commodate  you, 
Mistah  Tukkey,  but  I  ain'  see  how  I  kin.  I  done  got 
so  use  ter  runnin'  my  fingers  thu  de  by'ud  an'  spittin' 
over  hit  w'en  I'se  settin'  roun'  thinkin'  er  talkin'  dat  I 
dunno  how  I  kin  do  widout  hit,  an'  I  kain't  git  long,  no- 

75 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

liow,  widout  swellin'  up  cle  wattles  wVn  I  git  tetclied  in 
my  feelin's.  Sidesen  dat,  I  kin  tek  kyare  er  de  by'ud,  ef 
I  is  a  runt ;  I  bin  doin'  it  a  good  w'ile,  an'  she  ain'  wo' 
out  yit.    So  please,  suli,  ter  lian'  me  over  my  fixin's.' 

"  ^Not  w'iles  I  got  any  wind  lef  in  me  fer  runnin'/ 
sez  de  Tukkey,  sezee,  an'  wid  dat  he  went  a-scootin',  ol' 
man  Tarr'pin  atter  him,  hot-foot.  Dey  went  scrabhlin' 
up  de  mountains  an'  down  de  mountains,  an'  'twuz  pull 
Dick,  pull  devil,  fer  a  w'ile.  Dey  kain't  neener  one  uv 
'em  climb  up  ve'y  fas',  but  w'en  dey  git  ter  de  top,  Tuk- 
key  he  fly  down  an'  Tarr'pin  he  jes'  natchully  turn  over 
an'  roll  down.  But  Tukkey  git  de  start  an'  keep  hit. 
Wen  Tarr'pin  roll  to  de  bottom  uv  a  mountain  den 
he'd  see  Tukkey  at  de  top  er  de  nex'  one.  Dey  kep'  hit 
up  dis-a-way  'cross  fo'  ridges,  an'  las'  Tarr'pin  he  plumb 
wo'  out  an'  he  see  he  wan't  gwine  ketch  up  at  dat  rate, 
so  he  gin  up  fer  dat  day.  Den  he  go  an'  hunt  up  de 
cunjerers  an'  ax  'em  fer  ter  he*p  him.  He  say,  ^Y'all 
know  dat  by'ud  an'  wattles  er  mine  ?  Well,  I  done  loan 
'em  to  ^listah  Wi'yum  Wil'-tukke}^,  'kase  he  wuz  my 
fren'  an'  he  done  ax  me  to.  An'  now  he  turn  out  ter  be 
no-kyount  trash,  an'  w'at  I  gwine  do  ?  You  bin  knowin' 
I  is  a  slow  man,  an'  if  I  kain't  git  some  he'p,  I  hatter  say 
good-by  by'ud  an'  wattles.'  " 

"What  are  ^cunjerers,'  Aunt  'Phrony?"  said  N'ed. 

"Well  now,  honey,"  said  she,  "I  dunno  ez  I  kin  jes' 
rightly  tell  you,  but  deys  w'at  de  Injuns  calls  ^medincin- 
men,'  an'  dey  doctors  de  sick  folks  an'  he'ps  de  hunters 
ter  git  game  an'  de  gals  ter  git  beaux,  an'  putts  spells 
on  folks  an'  mek  'em  do  jes'  'bout  w'at  dey  want  'em  to. 
An'  so  dese  yer  cunjerers  dey  goes  off  by  derse'fs  an' 
has  a  confab  an'  den  dey  come  back  an'  tell  Mistah 

76 


HOW  MR.  TERRAPIX  LOST  HIS  BEARD 

Tarr'pin  dat  dev  reckon  dev  done  fix  Mistali  Tukkey  dis 
time. 

''  ^Wat  yon  done  wid  him  ?'  sezee. 

"  ^We  ain'  ketch  'im/  dev  ses,  Ve  lef  dat  fer  yon,  dat 
ain^  ow'  bizness,  bnt  we  done  fix  him  up  so't  yon  kin  do 
de  ketchin'  yo'se'f  .^ 

^Wat  has  you  done  to  him,  den  ?'  sezee. 
^Son/  dey  ses,  Ve  done  putt  a  lot  er  li'l  bones  in 
his  laigs,  an'  dat  gwine  slow  him  up  mightily,  an'  we 
'pends  on  you  ter  do  de  res',  "kase  we  knows  dat  you  is  a 
gre't  chieft.' 

"Den  Tarr'pin  amble  long  'bout  his  bizness  an'  neener 
stop  ner  res'  ontwel  he  met  uj^  wid  Tukkey  onct  mo'. 
He  ax  fer  his  by'ud  an'  wattles  ag'in,  but  Tukkey  jes' 
turnt  an'  stept  out  f'um  dat,  Tarr'pin  atter  him.  But 
seem  lak  de  cunjerers  thought  Mistah  Tarr'pin  wuz 
faster'n  w'at  he  wuz,  er  dat  Mistah  Tukkey  'z  slower'n 
w'at  he  wuz,  'kase  Tarr'pin  ain'  nuver  ketch  up  wid  him 
yit,  an'  w'ats  mo',  de  tarr'pin s  is  still  doin'  widout 
by'uds  an'  wattles  an'  de  gobblers  is  still  wearin'  *em 
an'  swellin'  roun'  showin'  off  ter  de  gals,  steppin'  ez  high 
ez  ef  dem  li'l  bones  w'at  de  cunjerers  putt  dar  wan't  still 
in  der  laigs,  an'  struttin'  lak  dey  wuz  sayin'  ter  ev'y 
pusson  dey  meets : 

'Cler  Olden  de  way  fer  oV  Dan  Tucker, 
Youse  too  late  ter  git  yo'  supper f  " 


77 


HOW  MR.  TEREAPIX  LOST  HIS  PLUMAGE 

AND  WHISTLE 


"Well/^  said  Janey,  as  Aunt  Throny  finished  telling 
of  the  loss  of  Mr.  Terrapin's  beard.  ^'I  saw  a  terrapin 
the  other  day^  and  it  didn't  look  as  though  it  ever  had 
had  a  beard  or  wattles.    I  thought  it  was  real  ugly." 

"Law,  chil',"  answered  the  storv-teller,  "vou  kain't 
tell  w'at  one'r  dese  yer  creeturs  bin  in  de  times  pas'  jes' 
by  lookin'  at  'em  now.  W^'y,  de  day's  bin  w'en  ol'  man 
Tarr'pin  wuz  plumb  harnsum.  He  done  bin  trick'  out 
er  mo'n  jes'  his  by'ud  an'  wattles,  I  kin  tell  you." 

"Oh,  please  do  tell  us !"  cried  Janey,  and  little  Kit 
came  and  leaned  on  her  knees  and  looked  up  into  her 
face  and  echoed,  "  'Es,  please  to  tell  us." 

Thus  besieged.  Aunt  'Phrony  consented  to  tell  how  the 
Terrapin  lost  his  plumage  and  his  whistle. 

"I  done  tol'  you,"  said  she,  "Tarr'pin  wuz  onct  a 
harnsum  man,  an'  dat  de  sho'-'nuff  trufe,  fer  he  had 
nice,  sof  tedders  all  over  his  body  an'  a  fine,  big, 
spreadin'  tail,  an'  his  eyes  wuz  mighty  bright  an'  his 
voice  wuz  de  cle'res'  whustle  you  uver  yearn.  He  wuz 
a  gre't  man  in  dem  days,  I  tell  you  dai,  an'  his  house 
wuz  chock  full  er  all  sorts  er  fine  fixin's.  He  had  sof 
furs  ter  set  on  an'  long  strings  er  shells  fer  money,  an' 
clo'es  all  imbroider'  wid  dyed  pokkypine  quills,  an'  he 

78 


HOW  ME.   TEPtEAPIX  LOST   HIS    TLUMAGE 

had  spears  an'  bows  an'  arrers  an'  cleer-hawns,  an'  I 
dunno  w"at  all  sidesen  dat. 

^'In  dem  days  de  Quail  wnz  a  homely,  no-kyount 
creetur,  wid  sca'cely  any  fedders,  an'  a  shawt,  stumpy 
tail,  an'  no  voice  wuf  speakin'  uv.  He  wuz  po',  too, 
an'  nob'dy  tuck  much  notuss  uv  him,  jes'  call  him  'dat 
'ar  ol'  Bob  White,'  an'  he  go  wannerin'  up  an'  down  de 
kyountry  all  bv  his  lonesome. 

"One  day  he  come  'long  pas'  Mistali  Tarr'pin's  house, 
an'  he  peek  in  thu  de  do',  he  did,  an'  w'en  he  see  all  de 
fine  doin's,  seem  lak  he  kain't  tek  his  eye  'way  f  um  de 
crack.  Den  he  seed  Tarr'pin  comin'  down  de  road 
home,  an'  he  'low  ter  hisse'f,  he  did,  dat  dish  yer  de 
harnsumes'  man  w'at  he  uver  seed,  an'  he  be  puffickly 
sassified  ef  he  cu'd  look  jes'  lak  dat.  He  git  mo'  an'  mo' 
enviable  uv  'im  an'  tuck  ter  hangin'  'roun'  de  naber- 
hood,  peekin'  an'  peerin'  in  at  Tarr'pin  w'enuver  he  git 
de  chanct.  Las'  he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  jes'  natchully 
'bleeged  ter  have  dem  fedders  an'  dat  tail  an'  whustle, 
but  he  ain'  knowin'  jes'  how  ter  git  'em,  so  he  g'long  off 
ter  ax  de  he'})  uv  a  wise  ol'  Wolf  whar  live  'way,  'way 
up  on  de  mountain  an'  whar  wuz  one'r  dem  cunjerers  I 
done  tol'  you  'bout.  Ez  he  went  'long  he  wuz  fixin'  up 
a  tale  ter  tell  Wolf,  an'  w'en  he  git  ter  de  kyave  whar 
de  cunjerer  live  he  knock  an'  Wolf  'spon',  Tome  in !'  in 
sech  a  deep,  growly  voice  dat  li'l  Quail  felt  kind  er 
skeery,  an'  he  feel  mo'  skeery  yit  w'en  he  go  hoppin'  in 
an'  see  Wolf  settin'  dar  wid  bones  strow^ed  all  roun' 
him,  an'  showin'  dem  long,  white  toofs  er  his  ev'y  time 
he  open  his  mouf.  But  he  perch  hisse'f  up  in  front  er 
Wolf,  an'  he  say  in  a  voice  dat  wuz  right  trim'ly, 
'Howdy,  L^ncle  Wolf,  howdy !    I  done  comed  all  de  way 

79 


AT    THE    BIG    IIOrSE 

up  yer  ter  ax  vo'  he'p,  'kase  I  knows  clar  ain'  nair' 
nii'rr  man  on  dis  mountain  wliar  knows  half  ez  much 
ez  w'at  you  does.    Please,  suh,  tell  me  w'at  ter  do.' 

"  ^Bob  White,  you  is  a  li'l  ol'  fool/  sez  Wolf,  sezee, 
liow  kin  I  tell  you  w'at  ter  do  w'en  you  ain'  tol'  me 
w'at  'tis  you  wants  T 

"Den  Quail  he  git  li'l  mo'  pearter,  an'  he  try  ter  mek 
Wolf  feel  please',  so  he  say,  ^Laws-a-mussy  !  Uncle  Wolf, 
I  done  fergit  dat,  but  I  reckon  I  do  so  'kase  you  is  dat 
smart  I  thought  you  mought  know  widout  me  tellin'.' 

"  ^Drap  dat  foolishness,'  sez  Wolf,  sezee,  '^an'  lemme 
know  w'at  you  comed  atter.'  But  all  de  same  he  wan't 
too  smart  ner  too  ol'  ter  feel  please'  wid  de  flatt'ry; 
show  me  de  man  whar  is;  lots  uv  'em  gits  ketched  by 
dat,  nuttin'  mo'  ner  less,"  and  here  Aimt  'Phrony  cast 
a  scornful  glance  at  Xancy,  who  answered  it  by  a  toss  of 
the  head. 

"Well,  den,"  she  resumed,  "Quail  start  inter  de  mean- 
ness he  bin  hatchin'  up,  an'  he  say,  sezee,  'Uncle  Wolf, 
deys  a  man  down  dar  below  whar  gittin'  ter  be  danger- 
some.  He's  rich  an'  goodlookin',  an'  a  gre't  chieft  an'  a 
sho'-'nuff  fighter,  an'  he  kin  do  'bout  w'at  he  please  wid 
tu'rr  creeturs.  A  man  lak  dat  boun'  ter  w^u'k  mischief. 
Now,  suh,  ef  you  sesso,  'pears  ter  me  hit  be  mighty  good 
notion  ter  tek  'way  his  good  looks  an'  dat  pleasan'  voice 
whar  he  uses  ter  'suade  de  people  wid,  an'  gin  'em  ter 
some  er  de  quiet  an'  peace'ble  folks  whar  ain'  all  de  time 
stickin'  derse'fs  ter  de  front  an'  tryin'  ter  lead  de  people. 
Now  yer  I  is,  you  bin  knowin'  me  dis  good  w'ile,  an' 
you  knows  my  numbility  an'  submissity,  an'  ef  you  mek 
me  de  one  ter  do  de  deed  an'  den  give  me  de  fixin's  fer 
my  trouble,  I  gwine  feel  dat  I  kain't  ve'y  well  refuge 

80 


HOW   MR.    TEERAPIX   LOST    HIS   PLUMAGE 

^em."  Plight  dar  he  putt  his  haid  on  one  side  an'  look  up 
at  Wolf  mighty  meek  an*  innercent. 

"Wolf  he  say  he  gwine  think  "bout  hit,  an'  he  tell 
Quail  ter  come  hack  im  seven  days  an'  git  de  arnser. 
So  Quail  he  go  hippitty-hoppin'  down  de  mountains, 
thinkin'  he  bin  mighty  smart,  an'  wunnerin'  ef  he  kin 
Stan'  hit  ter  wait  seven  mo'  days  befo'  he  rob  po'  ol' 
Tarr'pin. 

"Wolf  he  went  off  higher  yit,  ter  de  top  er  de  moun- 
tain fer  ter  ax  de  'pinion  er  seven  urr  wolfs  mo'  older 
an'  wiser  dan  w*at  he  wuz.  Dey  talked  an'  dey  'sputed 
toge'rr  fer  seven  days  an'  nights.  Den  Wolf  come  back 
an'  Quail  made  has'e  up  ter  see  him  ag'in.  He  say  Quail 
mus'  go  ter  Tarr'pin's  house  at  midnight  an'  do  jes'  lak 
he  tell  'im  to,  er  hit  be  wusser  fer  him,  stidder  better. 
Quail  lissen  an'  say  he  gwine  do  jes'  lak  he  tell  'im,  an' 
wid  dat  he  g'long  off.  Jes'  at  de  stroke  er  midnight, 
w'en  de  bats  wuz  a-flyin'  an'  de  squinch-owls  hootin' 
an'  de  jacky-my-lantums  trabellin'  up  an'  down,  he 
knock  on  Mistah  Tarr'pin's  do'  an'  gin  out  dat  he  wuz 
a  trabeller  whar  comed  a  fur  ways  an'  wuz  pow'ful 
tired  an'  hongry. 

"Tarr'pin  wuz  a  kin'  man,  so  he  'vited  him  in  an' 
gin  him  sump'n  ter  eat  an'  drink  an'  made  him  set 
down  on  de  sof  furs,  'kase  he  felt  saw'y  fer  any  pusson 
so  po'  an'  ugly  ez  w'at  Quail  wuz.  Den  he  say,  ^You 
mus'  be  tired  after  yo'  journeyin',  lemme  rub  you  a 
w'iles.'  He  rub  de  ugly,  rough  creetur  fer  so  long  time, 
an'  den  Quail  sez,  sezee,  '^You  sut'n'y  is  kin',  but  I 
ain'  wanter  tire  you  out.  I  is  res'ed  now,  so  please,  suh, 
ter  lemme  rub  you  a  li'l.'  He  rub  an'  he  rub  Tarr'pin 
wid  one  han',  an'  all  de  time  he  wuz  rubbin'  hisse'f 

81 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

wid  de  iirr.  Dat-a-wa}'  he  rub  all  de  fedders  offen 
Tarr'pin  onter  liis  own  se'f.  Den  he  rub  down 
Tarr'pin^s  tail  'twel  "twan't  nnttin'  but  a  li'l  roun', 
sharp-pointed  stump^  an'  at  de  same  time  he  wuz  rnbbin' 
his  own  tail  wid  tu'rr  han'  an'  puttin'  Tarr'pin's  fine, 
spreadin'  tail  onter  his  own  li'l  stump.  Hit  wuz  plumb 
dark,  so't  Mistah  Tarr'pin  ain'  see  w'at  bin  done,  an' 
sidesen  dat  he  wuz  pow'ful  sleepy  f  um  de  rubbin'.  Den 
Quail  say  he  'bleeged  ter  lay  down  'kase  he  mus'  git 
him  a  early  start  in  de  mawnin'. 

"Befo'  sun-up  he  wuz  stirrin'  an'  he  say  he  mus'  be 
gittin'  'long.  Tarr'pin  go  ter  de  do'  wid  him  an'  den 
Quail  say,  sezee,  ']\Iistah  Tarr'pin,  I  year  you  has  a 
monst'ous  fine  whustle,  I  lak  mighty  well  ter  year  hit 
befo'  I  go.' 

'^'  '^Wy  sut'n'y,'  sez  de  Tarr'pin,  sezee,  an'  wid  dat  he 
whustle  long  an'  loud.  Quail  lissen  at  him  wid  all  his 
years,  an'  den  he  say :  '^Well,  dog  my  cats,  ef  I  ain'  beat ! 
Yo'  voice  is  de  prezack  match  er  mine.' 

"  '^You  don'  sesso !  lemme  year  you  whustle,'  sez 
Tarr'pin,  sezee. 

"  *^Dat  I  w^ill,'  sez  Quail,  ^but  lemme  go  off  li'l  ways 
an'  show  you  how  fer  I  kin  mek  myse'f  yearn,'  sezee. 
He  sesso  'kase  lie'z  gittin'  mighty  'feerd  dat  Tarr'pin 
gwine  fin'  out  his  fedders  wuz  gone.  So  he  go  'way  off 
inter  de  bushes  an'  whustle,  an'  sho'  nuff,  'twuz  jes'  lak 
Mistah  Tarr'pin's  voice.  Den  Tarr'pin  try  ter  whustle 
back,  but  lo,  beholst  you !  his  voice  clean  gone,  nuttin' 
lef  but  a  li'l  hiss,  an'  hit  done  stav  dat-a-wav  clean 
ontwel  dis  day.  'Twuz  gittin'  daylight,  an'  he  look 
down  uv  a  suddint  an'  dar  he  wuz !  wid  nair'  a  smidgin' 
uv  a  fedder  on  his  back.    He  feel  so  bad  he  go  inter  de 

82 


HOW   MR.   TEREAPIX   LOST   HIS   PLUMAGE 

house  an'  cry  ontwel  his  eyes  wuz  so  raid  dat  dey  stayed 
dat-a-way  iiver  sence. 

"Den  Mis'  Tarr'pin  she  say^  ''Is  you  a  chieft,  er  is 
you  a  ol'  ooman?  Wh}Ti't  you  go  atter  dat  man  an' 
gin  him  a  lambastin'  an'  git  back  w'at  b'long  to  you?' 
He  feel  kind  er  'shame'^  so  he  pull  hisse'f  toge'rr  an'  go 
out  ter  see  w'at  he  kin  do.  To'  long  he  fin'  out  dat 
de  cunjerers  bin  at  wu'k,  so  he  know  he  gotter  have 
he'p,  an'  he  go  an'  git  all  tu'rr  tarrpins  ter  he'p  him. 
Dey  went  ter  de  ol'  wolfs,  de  cunjerers,  an'  dey  ses :  'We 
is  a  slow  people  an'  you  is  a  swif  people,  but  nemmine 
dat,  we  dvar's  you-all  to  a  race,  an'  ef  vou-all  wins,  den 
you  kin  kill  we-all;  an'  ef  we-all  wins,  den  we  gwine 
exescoot  you.  An'  ef  you  ain'  dast  ter  tek  up  dis  dyar', 
den  ev'yb'dy  gwine  know  3'ou  is  cowerds.' 

"Co'se  de  wolfs  tucken  de  dyar'  up,  an'  hit  wuz  'greed 
de  race  wuz  ter  be  over  seben  mountain  ridges,  an'  dat 
hit  wuz  ter  be  run  'twix'  one  wolf  an'  one  tarr'pin,  de 
res'  ter  look  on. 

'^W'en  de  day  come,  ol'  Tarr'pin  he  tuck  an'  fix  up 
dis  trick;  he  git  six  urr  tarr'pins  whar  look  jes'  lak  him, 
an'  he  hide  one  away  in  de  bresh  on  top  uy  each  er 
de  six  mountains,  an'  he  hide  hisse'f  away  on  top  er 
de  sebent'.  Jes'  befo'  Wolf  git  ter  de  top  er  de  fus' 
mountain,  de  tarr'pin  whar  wuz  hidin'  dar  crawl  outen 
de  bresh  an'  git  ter  de  top  fus'  an'  gin  a  whoop,  an' 
went  oyer  a  li'l  ways  an'  hid  in  de  bresh  ao^'in.  Wolf 
think  dat  mighty  cur'ous,  but  he  keep  on,  an'  'twuz 
jesso  at  ey'y  one,  an'  at  de  las'  ridge  co'se  Tarr'pin 
jes'  walk  hisse'f  outen  de  bresh  an'  gin  a  gre't  whoop 
ter  let  ey'yb'dy  know  he  done  won  de  race. 

'Den  de  tarr'pins  mek  up  der  min's  ter  kill  de  wolfs 

83 


ii^ 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

by  fire,  so  dey  pen  'em  all  in  a  big  kyave  on  de  moun- 
tain an'  dey  bring  bresh  an'  wood  an'  pile  in  front  uv 
hit,  a  pile  nios'  ez  high  ez  de  mountain,  an'  den  dey 
set  fire  to  hit,  an'  de  \yolfs  howl  an'  de  fire  hit  spit  an' 
sputter  an'  hiss  an'  crack  an'  roar,  an'  all  de  creeturs 
on  de  mountain  set  up  a  big  cry  an'  run  dis-a-way  an' 
dat  ter  git  outen  de  fire ;  dey  wuz  plumb  'stracted,  an' 
liit  soun'  lak  all  de  wil'  beas'es  in  creation  wuz  turnt 
aloose  an'  trvin'  w'ich  kin  yell  de  loudes'.  But  de 
tarr'pins  jes'  drord  inter  der  shells  an'  sot  dar  safe 
an'  soun',  an'  watched  de  fire  burn  an'  de  smoke  an'  de 
flame  roll  in'  inter  de  kvave. 

"De  wolfs  dev  howled  an'  dev  howled  an  dey  howled, 
an'  de  lil  ones  dey  cried  an'  dey  cried  an  dey  cried, 
an'  las'  de  ol'  ones  felt  so  bad  'bout  de  chillen  dat  dey 
'gun  ter  kill  'em  off  so's't  dey  ain'  suffer  no  mo'.  Wen 
de  tarr'pins  see  dat,  dey  wuz  saw'y,  an'  dey  mek  up  der 
min's  ter  let  de  res'  off,  so  dey  turnt  'em  aloose  f'um 
de  kyaye.  But  lots  uy  'em  had  died  in  dar,  an'  dat 
huccome  dar  ain'  so  many  wolfs  now  ez  dey  useter  be. 
Some  wuz  nearer  ter  de  fire  dan  tu'rrs  an'  got  swinged, 
an'  some  got  smoked  black,  an'  dat  w'y,  ontwel  dis  day, 
some  wolfs  is  black  an'  some  gray  an'  some  white,  an' 
some  has  longer,  bushier  tails  dan  tu'rrs.  Dey  got  so 
hoarse  wid  all  dat  cryin'  dat  der  yoices  bin  nuttin'  but 
a  howl  uyer  sence. 

"Quail  he  year  w'at  gwine  on,  an'  he  tucken  hisse'f 
outen  dat  kyountry  fas'  ez  his  laigs  cu'd  kyar'  him,  so 
Tarr'pin  nuyer  got  back  de  fedders  ner  de  whustle,  an' 
ef  you  goes  out  inter  de  fiel'  mos'  any  day  you  kin  see 
Quail  gwine  roun'  in  de  stolen  fedders  an'  year  him 
whustle : 

84 


HOW   MR.   TEREAPIX   LOST    HIS   PLUMAGE 

'Bol)   WJiite,  do  right!  do  right! 
Do  right!  do  right,  Boh  White!' 

jes'  ez  sassy  ez  ef  he  bin  doin'  right  all  his  da3's,  an'  ez 
ef  he  bin  raised  wid  dat  voice  stidder  stealin'  hit  way 
f'um  oF  man  Tarr'pin." 


85 


MIS'  CAT  AND  ME.  FRISKY  MOUSE 

"Gre't  king !"  said  'Liza  when  Aunt  'Phrony  had  fin- 
ished the  story  of  Mr.  Terrapin's  losses;  "gre't  king! 
Tarr'pin  sho'  had  trials  an'  trihilashuns,  same  ez  we-all 
po'  sinners  is  bawn  ter  go  tliu  wid  in  dish  yer  vale  er 
tears.  Dat  sut'n'y  wnz  a  fine  tale,  Sis'  'Phrony,  an' 
now  we  gwine  lissen  ter  Sis'  Nancy,  'kase  long  ez  I  bin 
knowin'  her  she  alluz  got  sump'n  wuf  yearin'.  Ain' 
dat  de  trufe  now  ?"  appealing  to  the  circle  and  meeting 
with  polite  confirmation  from  everybody  except  Annt 
'Phrony,  for  it  may  be  accepted  as  an  axiom  that  there 
is  not  room  enough  for  two  professional  story-tellers  at 
the  same  fireside,  especially  if  they  chance  to  be  ancient 
foes. 

"'Sense  me,  please,  Sis'  'Liza,  I'se  feelin'  kind  er  tiz- 
zicky  dis  evenin',"  said  Nancy,  a  little  offended  at  not 
having  had  a  hearing  before. 

'Phrony  sniffed  contemptuously.  "Umph  !  tizzicky  !" 
said  she  in  an  audible  aside,  "dat  a  new  name  fer  hit. 
Whyn't  she  say  she  gittin'  ol'  an'  losin'  her  'memb'ance  ?" 

Aunt  Nancy  snorted  and  tossed  her  head  defiantly. 
"01' !  who  ol'  ?  Well,  ef  dat  don'  beat  bob-tail !  Wen 
you-all  knows  dat  ooman  wuz  a  li'l  ol'  no-kyount  pic- 
caninny, runnin'  roun'  yer  wid  her  hy'ar  stickin'  out  in 
pigtails  all  over  her  haid,  long  befo'  I  wuz  bawnded. 
Sho!  I  reckon  I  'members  mo'  tales  dan  w'at  she  is 

86 


Mis^  CAT  a:n"d  me.  feisky  mouse 

uver  year  de  names  uv,  so  many  dat  I  dunno  wbar  tor 
begin,  but  I  blieve  I  gwine  gin  yon  one  dat  tell  'bout 
a  fool  ooman  whar  plate  her  pennunce  on  de  wu'd  uv 
a  man  an'  fin'  husse'f  lef  out  in  de  col'/'  here  she 
looked  significantly  at  Aunt  'Phrony,  "an'  de  name  er 
de  tale  is  ^Mis'  Cat  an'  Mistah  Frisky-mouse/ 

"Onct  dey  wuz  a  li'l  mouse  bin  livin'  down  a  dark 
hole  fer  a  right  smart  uv  a  spell,  an'  gnorrin'  an'  gnor- 
rin'  ter  git  thu  inter  de  room  whar  folks  wuz  livin'.  Las' 
he  git  clean  thu  an'  he  skip  out  middle  ways  de  flo'  an' 
darnse  an'  caper  an'  kyar'  on,  an'  set  up  on  his  ha'nches 
an'  ju"k  his  haid,  fus'  dis-a-way  an'  den  dat-a-way,  an' 
drap .  down  on  all  f o's  an'  run  inter  de  cornders,  an' 
peek  an'  peer  ev'ywhars  wid  dem  li'l  bright  eyes  er  his'n. 
Dar  wan't  no  pusson  't  all  in  de  room,  'scusin'  a  big  ol' 
cat  whar  wuz  snoogin'  an'  snorin'  by  de  fire,  an'  he  step 
so  light  he  wan't  'feard  er  wakin'  her.  ^Holy  Moses !' 
sezee  ter  hisse'f,  ^dish  yer  my  chanct,  sho'  ez  I'm  a  livin' 
sinner !  Look  out,  ol'  lady,  any  ooman  dat  go  ter  sleep 
over  her  dinner  kain't  kvount  on  hit  bein'  dar  w'en  she 
wake  up;  naw,  ma'am,  dinners  too  sca'ce  fer  dat;  dey 
ain'  layin'  'roun'  loose  ev'y  day  in  de  week.  I  mus'  let 
out  dish  yer  belt  er  mine  er  I  ain'  gwine  be  able  ter 
crowd  hit  all  in.' 

"Wid  dat  he  tiptoe  up  ter  de  plate  whar  settin'  by 
de  fire  an'  nibble  away  fer  dear  life  on  Mis'  Cat's  dinner. 
Den  he  go  darnsin'  roun'  some  mo',  an'  he  feel  so  gaily 
an'  so  sot  up  'kase  he  done  finish  de  job  er  gnorrin',  dat 
he  say  he  b'lieve  he  gwine  on  a  frolic,  an'  he  jes' 
natchully  'bleeged  ter  have  some  whisky.  He  go  sniffin' 
an'  snufFm'  roun',  an'  las'  he  spy  a  jimm^gohn  er  whis- 
ky settin'  up  on  a  high  she'f.     But,  bless  you,  he  wan't 

87 


AT    THE    BIG   HOUSE 

gwine  let  dat  hinner  him^  for  I  ses  to  you,  gemmen  an' 
ladiz,  dat  ef  a  man's  sot  on  gittin'  a  dram,  he  gwine 
climb  a  mountain  er  dig  down  ter  de  baid-rock  but 
w'at  he  gwine  git  de  wufiess  truck,  an'  nuver  stop  ter 
think  'bout  hit  bein'  any  trouble,  neener. 

"So  he  skunt  up  ter  de  she'f  an'  dim'  ter  de  mouf 
er  de  jug  an'  perched  on  de  rim  an'  'gun  ter  sip  de  whis- 
ky. He  dip  down  an'  git  a  moufful  an'  den  th'ow  back 
his  haid  an'  smack  his  lips  an'  lick  de  draps  offen  his 
whiskers.  ^Lan' !  Ian' !'  sezee,  Mish  yer  de  stuff  I  bin 
jes'  natchully  honin'  fer  dis  long  time.  Seem  lak  hit 
go  prezackly  ter  de  right  spot  an'  limber  me  up  might'ly 
in  my  feelin's.^  Den  de  dram  'gun  ter  mount  up  in 
his  haid  an'  he  done  fergot  w^har  he  wuz  an'  'menced 
ter  sing  a  snatch  f  um  a  ol'-time  drammin'  song,  whar 
runs  dis-a-way : 

'Mammy  tuch  a  hig   dram. 

Daddy  tuch  a  ivliopper. 
When  hit  come  ter  my  turn 

I  hatter  lick  de  stopper.' 

"Jes'  den  his  footses  slip  an'  down  he  go,  ker-chug ! 
inter  de  whisky.  He  spit  an'  he  sputter  an'  scrabble 
roun'  tryin'  ter  git  out,  but  'twan't  no  use.  Gentermans ! 
dat  'uz  one  time  w'en  he  git  his  fill  er  whisky.  ^My 
Ian' !'  sezee  ter  hisse'f ,  ^dish  yer's  jes'  de  way  you  fin' 
mos'  things  in  dis  life:  heap  mo'  easy  ter  git  in  dan 
'tis  ter  git  out.  'Pears  lak  dese  white  folks  got  mighty 
li'l  sense,  puttin'  der  drams  inter  ol',  slickry-sided  bot- 
tles. How  kin  dey  'spec'  mouses  ter  git  in  an'  out  er 
sech  contrapshuns,  I  lak  ter  know.'     He  see  he  wuz 

88 


MIS'   CAT   AXD   ME.   FRISKY  MOUSE 

filliif  up  so  fas'  dat  sump'n  gotter  be  done,  so  he  squeak 
out  at  de  top  uv  his  voice :  'Mis'  Cat !  Oh,  Mis'  Cat ! 
Hi,  Mis'  Cat!  Please,  ma'am,  ter  he'p  me  outen  dis 
whisky !' 

"Cat  she  open  her  eyes  an'  blink  a  li'l,  kind  er  slow 
an'  sleepy,  an'  las'  she  say:  'Is  my  years  done  'ceive 
me,  er  is  I  year  a  mouse  ?    Mebbe  I  done  dream  hit.' 

"  'Naw'm,  dat  you  didn' !'  sings  out  Mistah  Frisky- 
mouse.  '  'Twuz  a  sho'-'nuff  mouse,  an'  I'se  him,  up 
yer  in  de  whisky,  an'  I  wants  you,  pleasfe  ma'am,  ter 
climb  up  an'  he'p  me  out.' 

"  'Well,  uv  all  de  imp'ence !'  sez  Mis'  Cat  ter  husse'f, 
sez  she,  'an'  dat's  de  same  li'l  rascal  whar  done  runned 
'way  f'um  me  mo'  times  dan  I  kin  kyount.  Him  ter 
call  on  me  fer  he'p!'  Den  she  say  out  loud:  'Mistah 
Frisky-mouse,  I  sut'n'y  'd  lak  ter  'bleege  you  'bout  dis, 
but  I  gotter  tell  you,  I  think  hit  sarve  you  right  ter 
drown  in  dat  whisky,  'kase  you  wuz  stealin'  de  white 
folkses  dram  w'en  you  drapt  in.  Yas,  I  think  hit  be 
'bout  right  fer  you  ter  be  lef  ter  die  in  de  midse  er 
yo'  sin,  ef  I  mought  'spress  myse'f  dat-a-way.' 

"Mis'  Cat  wag  her  haid  an'  look  solium;  she  done 
fergit  how  many  times  she  bin  roguin'  it  in  de  white 
folkses  cream-jug.  Slie  wan't  de  one  whar  git  ketched 
dis  time,  so  she  ac'  mighty  pious  over  Mistah  Mouse's 
thievin'. 

"He  baig  an'  he  baig  an'  he  baig,  an'  las'  she  say, 
'Well,  I  he'p  you  out  dis  time,  ef  you  promuss  me  you 
set  by  de  fire  an'  dry  yo'se'f  good,  befo'  you  go.'  Eight 
dar  she  wunk  one  eye  at  de  fire  an'  smack'  her  lips 
an'  sez  she  ter  husse'f,  sez  she,  'I  gwine  git  me  a  mouse 
dis  trip,  sho'  ez  shootin'/ 

89 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

"In  co'se  Mouse  he  gin  de  promnss,  'kase  ^twuz  mighty 
nigh  time's-np  wid  him,  yit  he  wan't  so  fur  gone  but 
w'at  he  wunk  de  one  eye  whar  wuz  still  'bove  liquor  an' 
ses'  ter  hisse'f,  'Yas'm,  yas,  ma'am.,  jesso,  ma'am,  but 
I  have  you  fer  ter  know  dat  I  wan't  bawnded  yistiddy 
ner  de  day  befo',  ner  de  day  befo'  dat,  an'  I  ain'  'spec' 
ter  die  ter-day  ner  to-morrer  ner  de  day  atter/ 

"Soon  'z  he  gin  de  promuss,  ]\Iis'  Cat  she  lipt  up  on 
de  she'f  an'  retched  a  paw  down  in  de  jimmy  John  an' 
fished  'im  out,  an'  suz !  he  sut'n'y  wuz  a  mis'able  lookin' 
creetur,  wid  ev'y  hya'r  on  him  plastered  down  close  ter 
his  li'l  ol'  lean  body,  an'  de  whisky  drappin'  f  um 
nose  an'  eyes  an'  mouf.  She  cu'd  'a  et  him  den  an' 
dar,  but  she  wanter  have  a  li'l  fun  wid  him  fus',  same 
ez  cats  alluz  does  wid  de  mouses  befo'  dey  eats  'em. 
Seem  lak  dey  inj'ys  'em  heap  mo'  ef  dey  kin  skeer  'em 
good  fus',  an'  den  let  'em  git  mos'  away,  an'  den  kotch 
'em  ag'in,  an'  maul  an'  pull  an'  wool  'em  roun'  'twel  de 
mouses  is  glad  ter  be  et  up  an'  putt  puten  der  mis'ry. 
So  she  tucken  him  an'  putt  him  down  by  de  fire,  an' 
den  she  turn  her  back  an'  walk  over  ter  tu'rr  side  whar 
she  kin  set  an'  watch  him  ter  see  dat  he  ain'  git  'way. 
Suz !  her  back  no  sooner  turnt  dan  Mistah  Frisky-mouse 
jes'  tucken  his  foot  in  his  han'  an'  went  clii^pin'  over 
ter  de  hole  quicker  'n  a  streak  er  greast  lightnin',  an' 
Mis'  Cat  she  look  roun'  jes'  in  time  ter  see  de  een'  uv 
his  tail  gwine  down  de  hole. 

"  ^Hi,  dar !'  sez  she,  ^ain'  you  gin  me  yo'  wu'd  ter  set 
by  de  fire  ontwel  you  dry  de  whisky  offen  yo'  hide  ?  Is 
dis  de  way  you  keeps  yo'  wu'd?  Does  you  call  dat 
hon'able,  atter  I  done  he'p  you  out?' 

^^Mouse  he  whu'l  'roun'  in  de  hole  jes'  so  he  kin  poke 

90 


MIS'   CAT  AXD   ME.   FRISKY  MOUSE 

his  nose  an'  eyes  out  a  lil  wavs  an'  see  her  settin'  dar 
wid  one  han'  lif  up,  shakin'  hit  at  him  an'  lookin*  lak 
she  plumb  scannelize.  He  sa}^,  he  do,  ^Keep  my  wu'd ! 
AVho?  Me?  Huh-uh,  Mis'  Cat,  heap  ru'rr  lose  my  wu'd 
dan  ter  lose  my  life.  Sidesen  dat,  you  knowed  I  bin 
drinkin' ;  'deed  you  done  foun'  me  clean  unner  de  in- 
floons  er  whisky,  an'  you  done  yearn  fo'  now,  ^kase 
you  is  no  kitten,  dat  whisk}^  meks  mens  mighty  onre- 


liable,  dat  hit  do.'  He  git  ter  snickerin'  an'  laughin' 
so't  he  kain't  say  nuttin'  mo',  so  he  go  scootin'  down 
de  hole  an'  leaye  Mis'  Cat  settin'  dar  wid  one  paw  in 
de  air  an'  her  jaw  drapt  wide  open. 

"'De  mis'able,  ongrateful,  owdaeious  li'l  sinner,'  sez 
she.  Jes'  den  Mistah  Frisky-mouse  he  scoot  back  fer 
a  minnit  an'  see  her  settin'  dar  lookin'  foolish,  an'  he 
laugh  an'  he  yell  an'  he  holler,  an'  jes'  w'en  she  mek  a 
dab  at  'im  wid  'er  paw,  he  turnt  tail  an'  went  c'reerin' 
down  de  hole,  singin'  back  at  de  top  er  his  yoice  : 

91 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

'Ho,  lio!  Mis'  Cat,  I  tliouglit  tjou'z  slicher 
Dan  ter  'pend  on  de  icu'd  uv  a  man  in  liquor. 


f  y> 


"Dear  me/'  said  Janey,  "what  a  nauglitv  little  mouse. 
AVas  he  really,  really  tipsy?'' 

"Sho !"  said  Aunt  Xancy,  ^^le  wan't  so  tipsy  but  w'at 
he  knowed  dat  Mis'  Cat  wuz  atter  him  an'  sot  on 
ketchin'  'im,  an'  he  knowed  'nuff  ter  git  'way  f  um  her, 
so  I  reckon  he  wan't  so  tipsy  atter  all.  Dat's  de  way 
wid  some  wimmins,"  and  here  she  rolled  her  eves  mean- 
ingly  at  Aunt  'Phrony,  "dey  ain'  got  de  sense  ter  hide 
hit  w'en  dey's  tryin'  ter  ketch  a  man,  an'  de  man  he 
gits  skeered  an'  quits,  an'  den  de  ooman  goes  an'  putts 
de  blame  on  some  urr  gal.  I  tell  you,  honeys,  you  kin 
run  atter  a  man  all  you  please,  but  you  mus'n'  let  him 
'spishun  hit  er  de  game's  up. 

"But  T  kain't  stay  3^er  runnin'  on  all  night,  an'  dat 
sut'n'y  is  yo'  maw  I  year  callin'.  Ef  y'all  don'  g'long 
back  ter  de  house,  I  boun'  you  she  gin  you  a  dose  er 
w'at  Paddy  gin  de  drum ;  y'all  know  w'at  dat  wuz." 


92 


ME.  HARE  TRIES  TO  GET  A  WIFE 

One  dav  the  children's  mother  told  them  that  she 
was  going  to  spend  a  few  days  at  a  plantation  some 
miles  away,  taking  with  her  Aunt  Xancy,  who  was  anx- 
ious to  pay  a  little  visit  to  a  daughter  living  in  that 
neighborhood.  Aunt  Throny,  she  told  them,  had  prom- 
ised to  come  and  look  after  them  during  her  absence. 

"Oh  please,  mamma,''  they  begged,  "let  Aunt  'Phrony 
take  us  nutting?  She  told  us  one  day  that  she  knew 
where  there  were  just  lots  and  lots  of  walnuts."  So  it 
was  arranged  that  they  should  take  a  luncheon  with 
them  and  make  a  day  of  it.  Aunt  'Phrony  being  perfectly 
willing,  for  her  Indian  blood  showed  itself  not  only  in 
her  appearance,  but  in  her  love  for  a  free  out-of-door 
life,  and  her  fondness  for  tramping.  She  would  readily 
give  up  a  day's  work  at  any  time  to  discharge  some 
wholly  insignificant  errand  which  involved  a  walk  of 
many  miles. 

The  day  was  a  bright  and  beautiful  one  in  October, 
warm,  yet  with  a  faint  nip  of  last  night's  frost  linger- 
ing in  the  air.  They  made  a  fine  little  procession  through 
the  woods,  Aunt  'Phrony  leading,  followed  by  children, 
a  darky  with  baskets,  her  grandson  "Wi'yum,"  and  lastly 
the  dogs,  frisking  and  frolicking  and  darting  away  every 
now  and  then  in  pursuit  of  small  game.  A  very  weary 
and  hungry  little  party  gathered  about  the  baskets  at 

93 


AT    THE    BIG    HOrSE 

one  o'clock,  and  throe  little  pairs  of  white  hands  were 
stained  almost  as  brown  as  those  of  Aunt  Throny  and 
"William.  But  everybody  was  happy,  and  there  was  a 
nice  pile  of  walnuts  to  go  back  in  the  large  bag  which 
William  had  brought  for  the  purpose.  The  dogs  sat 
around  and  looked  longingly  on,  a  squirrel  frisked  has- 
tily across  a  log  near  by,  the  birds  chattered  in  the 
trees  high  above  and  looked  curiously  down  on  the 
intruders,  and  presently  a  foolish  hare  went  scurrying 
across  the.  path,  so  near  the  dogs  that  they  sat  stilly 
amazed  at  his  presumption,  and  forbore  to  chase  him. 

"Hi!  there  goes  'ol'  Hyar' M"  shouted  Xed;  "I'm 
going  to  see  if  I  can't  catch  him."  But  he  soon  gave  up 
the  hopeless  chase. 

"Was  that  your  ^ol'  Hvar','  Aunt  'Phronv;  your  ol' 
Hyar'  you  tell  us  all  about  ?"  asked  little  Kit. 

"Bless  de  chil' !"  said  she.  "Naw,  'twuz  de  ol',  ol' 
Hyar'  I  done  tol'  you  'bout,  de  gre't-gre't-gre't-sump'n- 
ru'rr  grandaddy  er  dis  one,  I  reckon." 

"Aunt  'Phrony,"  said  Janey,  "couldn't  you  tell  us 
some  more  about  the  old  hare  while  we  sit  here  and 
get  rested  ?" 

"Xow  de  laws-a-muss}^,"  said  'Phrony,  "ef  we  gwine 
'mence  on  de  ol'  tales  I  reckon  I  mou^lit  ez  w^ell  mek 
up  my  min'  ter  spen'  de  res'  er  de  day  right  yer  on  dis 
spot,"  and  she  leaned  back  against  a  pine  tree  and 
closed  her  eyes  resignedly.  Presently  she  opened  them 
to  ask,  "Is  I  uver  tol'  you  'bout  de  time  Mistah  Hyar' 
try  ter  git  him  a  wife?  I  isn'?  Well,  den,  dat  de  one 
I  gwine  gin  you  dis  trip.  Hit  happen  dis-a-way :  Hyar^ 
he  bin  flyin'  all  'roun'  de  kyountry  fer  right  long  time, 
frolickin'   an'   cuttin'  up,  jes'   a  no-kyount  bachelder, 

94 


ME.   HAEE   TPJES   TO   GET  A  WIFE 

an'  las'  he  git  kind  or  tired  uv  hit,  an'  he  see  all  tn'rr 
ereeturs  gittin'  ma'ied  an'  he  tucken  hit  inter  his  haid 
dat  'twuz  time  he  sottle  down  an'  git  him  a  wife ;  so  he 
primp  hisse'f  up  an'  slick  his  hya'r  down  wid  b'ar- 
grease  an'  stick  a  raid  hank'cher  in  his  ves'-pockit  an' 
pick  him  a  button-hole  f  um  a  lad3''s  gyarden,  an'  den 
he  go  co'tin'  dis  gal  an'  dat  gal  an'  tu'rr  gal.  He  'mence 
wid  de  good-lookin'  ones  an'  wind  up  wid  de  ugly  ones^ 
but  'twan't  nair'  one  dat  'ud  lissen  to  'im,  'kase  he  done 
done  so  many  mean  tricks  an'  wuz  sech  a  hyarum- 
skyarum  dat  dey  wuz  all  'feard  ter  tek  up  wid  'im,  an' 
so  dey  shet  de  do'  in  his  face  w'en  he  git  ter  talkin' 
sparky,  dough  dar  wan't  no  pusson  cu'd  do  dat  sort  er 
talkin'  mo'  slicker  'n  Vat  he  cu'd.  But  he  done  gin 
de  ereeturs  jes'  li'l  too  much  'havishness,  so  'twan't  no 
use. 

"He  think  de  marter  all  over  an'  he  say  ter  hisse'f: 
^Dem  fool  gals  dunno  w'at  dey  missin',  but  ef  dey  s'pose 
I  gwine  gin  up  an'  stay  single,  dey  done  fool  derse'fs 
dis  time.  I  ain'  gwine  squatulate  wid  'em  ner  arg}'fy 
ner  beg  no  mo',  but  I  gwine  whu'l  right  in  an'  do 


sump'n.' 


fitter  he  study  a  w'ile  he  slap  one  han'  on  his  knee, 
an'  he  'low,  he  do :  'Dat's  de  ticket  I  dat's  de  ticket !  I 
reckon  dey'll  fin'  ol'  man  Hyar'  ain'  sech  a  fool  ez  he 
looks  ter  be,  after  all.' 

"He  go  lopin'  all  roun',  leavin'  wu'd  at  ev'y  house 
in  de  kyountry  dat  a  big  meetin'  bin  hilt  an'  a  law 
passed  dat  ev'yb'dy  gotter  git  ma'ied,  young  an'  ol', 
rich  an'  po',  high  an'  low.  He  say  ter  hisse'f,  'EvyVdy, 
dat  mean  me,  too,  so  dish  yer  whar  I  boun'  ter  git  me 
a  wife.' 

95 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

^*De  croeturs  place  der  '^pennance  on  him,  dough  he 
done  tncken  'em  in  so  often,  an'  on  de  'pinted  day  dey 
met  toge'rr;  de  gals  all  dress'  np  in  der  Sunday  clo'es 
an'  de  mens  fixed  up  mighty  sprucy,  an'  sech  a  pickin' 
an'  choosin'  you  nuver  see  in  all  yo'  hawn  days.  De  gals 
dey  all  stan'  up  in  line  an'  de  men  go  struttin'  mighty 
higgitty  up  an'  down  befo'  'em,  showin'  off  an'  makin' 
manners  an'  sayin',  'Howdy,  ladiz,  howdy,  howdy !'  An' 
de  gals  dey'd  giggle  an'  twis'  an'  putt  a  finger  in  de 
cornders  er  der  moufs,  an'  w^'en  a  man  step  up  ter  one 
uv  'em  ter  choose  her  out,  she'd  fetch  'im  a  li'l  tap  an' 
say,  'Hysh  I  g'way  f'um  yer,  man !  better  lemme  'lone !' 
an'  den  she'd  giggle  an'  snicker  some  mo',  but  I  let  you 
know  she  wuz  sho'  ter  go  wid  him  in  de  een'. 

"All  dis  time  Hyar'  wuz  gwine  up  an'  down  de  line, 
bowin'  an'  scrapin'  an'  tryin'  ter  mek  hisse'f  'greeable 
ter  ev'yb'dy,  even  de  daddies  an'  de  mammies  er  de  gals, 
whar  wuz  lookin'  on  f'um  tu'rr  side.  Dar  wuz  whar  he 
miss  hit,  'kase  w'ile  he  wuz  talkin'  ter  de  mammy  uv 
a  mighty  likely  li'l  gal  whar  he  think  'bout  choosin', 
lo  an'  beholst,  de  choosin'  wuz  all  over,  an'  w'en  Mistah 
Hyar'  turnt  roun'  dar  want  nair'  a  gal  lef,  an'  ev'y 
man  have  a  wife  asseptin'  him. 

"Den  dey  hilt  a  big  darnsin'  an'  feastin',  an'  ev'yb'dy 
wuz  happy  an'  in  a  monst'ous  good  humor,  de  gals  'kase 
dey  done  got  ma'ied,  an'  de  paws  an'  de  maws  'kase  dey 
done  got  redd  er  de  gals, — ev'yb'dy  'scusin'  Hyar'.  Dey. 
mek  lots  er  game  uv  'im,  an'  w'en  dey  darnse  pas',  dey 
sings  out :  'Heyo !  Mistah  Hyar',  huecome  you  ain' 
darnse  ?'  'Brins^  vo'  wife,  ol'  man,  an'  line  in  de  fun !' 
'Hi !  yi !  Mistah  Hyar',  you  done  ma'y  off  ev'yb'dy  else 
an'  stay  single  yo'se'f  ?    Well,  dat  de  meanes'  trick  you 

96 


?: 


7, 


5^ 


>^ 


r. 


■fj. 


MR.   HARE   TRIES   TO   GET  A  WIFE 

done  played  us  jit !  'tain'  fair  !'  An'  dey  snicker  an'  run 
on  'twel  Hyar'  wisli  he  ain'  nuver  year  de  wu'd  ma'y. 

"Atter  w'ile  dey  got  tired  er  darnsin'  an'  tucken  der 
new  wifes  an'  went  off  home  leavin'  Hyar'  all  by  hisse'f, 
an'  I  tell  you  he  feel  right  lonesome.  He  git  a  bad 
spell  er  de  low-downs  an'  go  squanderin'  roun'  thu  de 
woods  wid  his  years  drapt  an'  his  paws  hangin'  limp, 
studyin'  how  he  kin  git  revengemint.  Las'  he  pull  his- 
se"f  toge'rr  an'  he  say :  'Come,  Hyar',  dis  ain'  gwine  do. 
Is  you  done  fool  ev'yb'dy  all  dese  'ears  an'  den  let  yo'se'f 
git  fooled  by  a  passel  er  gals?  Xaw,  suh !  I  knows 
w'at  I  gwine  do  dis  ve'y  minnit.  Ef  I  kain't  git  me  a 
gal,  I  kin  git  me  a  widd}^  an'  some  folks  laks  dem  de 
bes',  anyhows.  Ef  you  ma'y  a  widdy,  she  got  some  er 
de  foolishness  knock'  outen  her  befo'  you  hatter  tek  her 
in  han'.' 

"Wid  dat  he  step  out  ez  gaily  ez  you  please.  He  go 
an'  knock  at  de  do'  uv  ev'y  house,  an'  w'en  de  folks 
come  ter  de  do'  dey  say,  'W'y,  howdy,  Mistah  Hyar', 
whar  you  bin  keepin'  yo'se'f  all  dis  time?'  He  say,  he 
do :  "^Oh,  I  bin  tendin'  ter  de  'fairs  er  de  kyountry,  an'  I 
is  sont  unter  you  ez  a  messenger.  I  is  saw'y  ter  tell 
you  dey  done  hilt  nu'rr  big  meetin'  an'  mek  up  der 
min's  de  worl'  gittin'  too  many  creeturs  in  hit,  so  dey 
pass  de  law  dat  dar  mus'  be  a  big  battle,  an'  you  is  all 
ter  meet  toge'rr  at  de  'pinted  time,  an'  each  man  mus' 
fall  'pun  de  man  nex'  him  an'  try  fer  ter  kill  'im.' 

"De  creeturs  assept  dis  wid  submissitty,  dey  ain' 
'spicion  Hyar'  't  all.  On  de  'pinted  day  dey  met  toge'rr, 
an'  each  wuz  raidy  ter  defen'  hisse'f.  Hyar'  wuz  dar 
lak  all  de  res',  an'  ef  you'd  'a  seed  all  de  spears  an'  bows 
an'  arrers  he  kvarrv,  an'  all  de  knifes  stickin'  in  his 

97 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

belt,  you'd  'a  thought  he  wiiz  de  bigges'  fighter  dar. 
But  sho !  Wen  de  fightin'  begin,  hit  wuz  far'-you-well, 
gentermans !  'Twan't  no  Hyar'  dar ;  he  jes'  putt  out 
tight  'z  he  kin  go.  W^en  dey  see  him  goin'  dey  sing  out : 
'Hi,  dar!  Mistah  HyarM  Whar  you  gwine?  Whyn't 
you  stay  wid  we-all  an'  fight  dis  out  T 

"Hyar'  ain'  stop  ter  talk,  he  jes'  look  roun'  over  his 
shoulder  w'iles  he  'z  runnin'  an'  he  say,  sezee :  'De  man 
I  wanster  kill,  he  done  runned  'way  an'  I'se  atter  him, 
hot-foot,  de  mis'able  cowerd.  Kain't  stop  ter  talk;  git 
outen  my  way,  ev'yb'dy, 

'Cle'r  de  trad',  fer  yer  me  comin', 
Tse  oV  Buster  ivliar  keep  things  hummin'. 


>  > 


"Wen  de  battle  wuz  over,  de  creeturs  miss  Hyar',  an' 
dey  say  he  mus'  be  'mongs'  de  kilt,  so  dey  go  roun' 
lookin'  at  de  daid,  but  'twan't  no  Hyar'  dar.  Dey  hunt 
ev'ywhar  fer  him  an'  las'  dey  foun'  him  squattin'  in  de 
bresh,  tremlin'  ez  ef  he  have  de  ager  an'  nigh  mos' 
skeert  ter  def.  Dey  drug  him  outen  dat  an'  dey  ses: 
'So  dish  yer's  Buster  whar  keep  things  hummin' !  Well, 
we  gwine  mek  you  hum  dis  time,  sho'  'nufi^.  You  putts 
we-all  ter  fightin'  an'  gits  heap  er  good  men  kilt  off,  an' 
yer  you  settin'  tuck  'way  safe  in  de  bresh.  We  gwine 
hole  you  'sponsible  fer  dis,  an'  we  gotter  know  de  whar- 
fo's,  too.' 

"Den  ol'  Hyar'  he  up  an'  'f  ess  he  done  de  hull  bizness 
so's't  de  kyountry  mought  be  full  er  widdies  an'  he 
git  him  his  pick  fer  a  wife,  fer  he  'lowed  widdies  wan't 
gwine  be  so  p'tickler  ez  de  gals.  De  creeturs  jes'  nat- 
chully  hilt  up  der  ban's  at  him,  dey  wuz  plumb  outdone. 

98 


MR.   HAEE   TEIES   TO   GET  A  WIFE 

'^De  owdacioiis  vilyun !'  dey  ses,  ^we  boim'  ter  exescoot 
him  on  de  spot  an'  git  shed  uv  'im  onct  fer  all.'  But  he 
baig  mighty  hard  an'  some  iiv  'em  think  he  be  wuss 
punish  ef  dey  jes'  gins  'im  a  good  hidin'  an.'  lets  'im 
live  on  alone,  a  mis'able  ol'  bachelder,  widout  no  pusson 
ter  tek  notuss  uv  'im,  'kase  in  co'se  none  er  de  widdies 
wuz  gwine  ma'y  a  cowerd." 

"Why,  Aunt  'Phrony,"  said  'Ned,  ^'he  must  have  found 
a  wife  at  last,  for  how  about  Mis'  Molly  Hyar'  ?" 

^•'Shucks  I"  said  she,  "is  /  uver  tol'  vou  'bout  Mis' 
Mollv  Hvar'?  jSTaw,  suh,  she  b'lonpis  in  dem  ol'  nisfojer 
tales  whar  Xancy  tells  you.  De  Injun  tales  ain'  say 
nuttin'  'bout  no  wife  er  his'n.  He  wuz  too  gre't  a  fighter 
an'  too  full  er  'havishness  uver  ter  sottle  down  wid  a 
wife ;  an'  now  lemme  finish  de  tale. 

"Dey  gin  him  a  turr'ble  trouncin'  an'  den  turnt  him 
aloose,  an'  stidder  gittin'  him  a  wife  he  got  him  a  hide 
dat  smart  f'um  haid  ter  heels;  but  w'en  my  daddy  tell 
dat  tale  he  useter  een'  her  up  dis-a-way,  ^An'  mebbe 
Hyar'  git  de  bes'  uv  'em,  atter  all,  'kase  w'en  you  git  a 
hidin',  de  smart's  soon  over,  but  w'en  you  git  a  wife, 
de  mis'ry  done  come  ter  stay.' " 


99 


HOW  MR.  HARE  LOST  HIS  HORN'S 


<iy 


^Well,  I  say !"  said  Ned,  when  Aunt  Throny  had  fin- 
ished telling  of  Mr.  Hare's  failure  to  get  a  wife,  "who'd 
think  such  a  little  old  thing  as  a  hare  could  make  so 
much  mischief?" 

"Li'l  ol'  thing!  him?  not  in  dem  days,  chil',"  said 
the  old  woman.  "Ain'  I  tol'  joii,  tu'rr  night,  dat  de 
creeturs  wan't  lak  dey  is  now?  Wy,  Hyar'  he  wuz  a 
big  man,  I  tell  you,  an'  he  had  hawns;  yas  liawns,  slio'- 
'niiff  hawns,  jes'  lak  de  deers  has.  'Deed,  de  deer-hawns 
useter  b'long  on  his  haid,  'twel  tu'rr  creeturs  done 
tucken  'em  'way  f'um  'im.  I  gwine  tell  you  "bout  dat 
ef  you  promuss  not  ter  pester  me  'bout  no  mo'  tales  fer 
one  w'ile." 

Of  course  the  children  promised,  and  the  old  woman, 
with  head  thrown  back  against  the  tree  and  a  dreamy 
look  in  her  eyes,  as  if  she  were  contemplating  those 
far-off  days  when  the  hare  was  the  great  hero  of  many 
a  tale  told  by  the  camp-fires  of  her  father's  people, 
began  the  story  of  the  lost  horns. 

"I  done  tol'  you,"  she  commenced,  "dat  H^'ar'  useter 
wear  hawns,  an'  dis  huccome  he  ter  lose  'em.  At  fus' 
he  ain'  have  none,  but  he  git  ter  be  seeh  a  big  man  an' 
sech  a  smart  man  dat  de  creeturs  look  up  ter  him 
might'ly,  an'  dey  wanter  do  sump'n  ter  show  der  re- 
gyards  uv  'im,  'kase  dish  yer  wuz  befo'  he  git  so  trickish ; 

100 


HOW    MT^.    HARE    LOST    HIS    HORXS 

so  dev  have  w'at  dev  call  a  kyouncil  an'  talk  hit  all 
over  an'  agree  ter  gin  him  a  harnsnm  pair  er  hawns, 
thinkin'  dat  sech  a  smart  creetur  boiin'  ter  mek  good 
use  uv  'em.  So  dey  call  him  up  an'  dey  ses,  ^Mistah 
Hyar',  we  done  'cide  ter  putt  dese  hawns  on  you,  an' 
we  wants  you  ter  'member  dat  we  nuver  putts  'em  on  any 
but  tiptop  men  an'  natchel-bawn  runners,  an'  we  'specs 
you  ter  keep  up  yo'  good  name  in  dis  marter.  Now 
lessee  w'at  you  kin  do  wid  'em.' 

"Dey  gin  him  de  wu'd  an'  'way  he  went,  but  mebbe 
de  hawns  mek  'im  feel  sort  er  onbalance  in  de  haid  er 
somehows  outer  kelter,  'kase  stidder  runnin'  lak  he  use- 
ter  he  went  wid  a  sort  er  hop,  skip  an'  jump,  an'  in  de 
place  er  gwine  up  an'  down  de  medders  whar  him  an' 
Mistah  Dapple-deer  useter  kite  roun'  toge'rr,  mighty 
good  fren's,  he  jes'  tucken  ter  de  bresh  an'  dey  ain'  see 
him  no  mo'  fer  so  long  time. 

"De  creeturs  say  ter  one  nu'rr,  ^Wat  in  de  name  er 
goodness  done  corned  over  Mistah  Hyar'?  He  useter 
live  out  in  de  open  'long  wid  Mistah  Deer,  'havin'  his- 
se'f  lak  a  'sponsible  pusson,  an'  now  he  done  quit  we-all, 
an'  lawd  on'v  knows  whar  he  is  at.  Look-a-ver,  Mistah 
Dapple-deer,  we  gwine  'p'int  you  ter  hunt  up  yo'  fren' 
an'  bring  'im  back  ter  dis  kyouncil.  Kin  we  'pend  on 
you  fer  dis,  suh  ?' 

"Deer  he  say:  ^Well,  I  ain'  mek  no  promuss;  dat 
ain'  my  way.  Makin'  an'  breakin'  is  bofe  pow'f ul  easy ; 
but  ef  I  sesso,  den  I  gwine  do  so,  an'  I  say  dis  much :  I 
gwine  do  w'at  I  kin,  but  mebbe  you  has  notuss  dat  foils 
is  'bout  de  mos'  onsu't'n  truck  w'at  dev  is ;  I  mousht 
arnser  fer  Mistah  Hyar'  yist'd'y,  but  I  kain't  tell  w'at 
he  gwine  do  to-morrer.' 

101 


AT    THE    BICr    HOUSE 


<(^ 


'\Ye\l,  svh,  he  go  an'  lie  hunt  an^  he  hunt  an'  he 
hunt.  Fus'  he  look  in  de  medders,  no  Mistah  Hyar'; 
den  he  look  in  de  woods^  no  Mistah  H3^ar' ;  den  he  tuck 
ter  lookin'  in  "de  bresh,  an'  dar  he  wuz,  settin'  up  on 
his  'hime  laigs  an'  gnorrin'  a  locus'  twig,  jes'  ez  oncon- 
sarn'  ez  ef  he  bin  livin'  dar  all  his  life." 

Ned  interrupted  to  say,  "What  in  the  world  did  he 
want  to  gnaw  a  locust  twig  for  ?" 

"Oh,  dat  wuz  fer  his  front  .toofs.  He  teck  a  twig  er 
de  black  locus',  'kase  dat  good  an'  hard,  an^  he  gnor  an' 
he  gnor,  ter  keep  his  front  toofs  groun'  down ;  fer  ef 
he  ain'  do  dat  dey'd  grow  so  long  he  cu'dden  use  'em, 
Meed  dey  would.  Well,  he  wuz  grindin'  way  on  de 
twig  an'  he  year  Deer  comin'  an'  he  say,  ^Howdy,  Mistah 
Dapple-deer,  howdy,'  widout  even  so  much  ez  turnin' 
his  haid. 

"  ^Well,  uv  all  de  news !'  sez  Deer,  sezee,  Sv'at  you 
doin'  yer  so  fur  f "um  de  place  whar  you  b'longs  ter  ?' 

"  ^Jes'  gittin'  my  toofs  in  good  fix,'  sezee,  gnorrin'  on 
ez  ef  he  nuver  'spec'  ter  git  nu'rr  locus'  twig. 

"  "^Come  'long  outen  yer,'  sez  Deer,  Mis  no  place  fer  a 
man  er  yo'  breens  an'  unnerstannin' ;  come  out  yer  in 
de  open  an'  show  yo'se'f.  W'at  mek  you  wanter  skulk 
an'  hide  yo'se'f  in  de  bresh  ?' 

"  Tired  er  de  open,'  sez  Hyar',  sezee,  ^tired  er  runnin' 
races ;  tired  er  gwine  all  'roun'  creashun  ter  fin'  vittles. 
Gwine  stay  right  in  yer  w^har  I  kin  fin'  'em  handy; 
gwdne  teck  things  easy  f'um  dis  on.  Ef  dese  yer  breens 
er  mine  whar  you  talk  'bout  is  good  fer  anything,  dey 
tell  me  dat  w'uk  don'  'gree  wid  me,  nohow.' 

"Deer  he  'suade  an'  he  'suade,  but  'twan't  no  use,  an' 
las'  Hyar'  git  kind  er  riley  an'  he  say,  he  do :   'Don'  3^ou  ^ 

102 


i 

i 


HOWDV,    MI8TAH    DAPPLE-DEER,    HOWDY 


HOAV    ^m.    HAEE    LOST    HIS    HORXS 

'suade  me  no  mo'.  'My  min'  done  mek  up.  You  better 
lemme  'lone,  'kase  now  I  got  me  dese  hawns  I  is  kind  er 
dangersome,  an'  you  bes'  not  git  in  a  fist-an'-skull  fight 
^'id  me,  'kase  ders  no  tellin'  whar  you  niought  bring 
up.  on  de  p'int  er  dese  hawns,  I  dunno ;  I  ain'  'sponsible 
fer  'em/  an'  wid  dat  he  shuk  de  hawns  servigrous  at  po' 
ol'  Deer. 

"  ^Well,  ef  dat  ain'  de  gre'tes'  howdy-do !'  sez  Deer, 
sezee.  ^An'  dish  yer  wuz  de  man  I  done  place  my  'pen- 
nance  on  an'  think  wuz  my  f  ren' !  Xemmine,  g'long 
an'  do  de  way  you  wanster;  I  done  wash  my  ban's  er 
de  bizness.  De  fool-killer  better  come  dis  'way,  dough, 
right  quick,  "kase  dars  a  good  size  job  waitin'  fer  him 
riglit  close  ter  dese  diggin's,  an'  I  jes'  'bout  b'lieve  I 
gwine  leave  wu'd  fer  him  whar  ter  call,  ez  I  g'long  back.' 

"Wid  dat  he  sa'nter  off  a  li'l  ways,  thinkin'  mebbe 
Hyar'  gwine  f oiler.  Xaw  suh !  he  jes'  sot  dar  an'  went 
on  gnorrin'.  Wen  Deer  see  dat,  he  succle  'roun'  thu 
de  woods  a  piece  an'  come  up  behime  ol'  Hyar'  an' 
grab  'im  back  er  de  hawns  an'  go  lopin'  off  wid  'im  ter 
de  kyouncil. 

"  ^Set  down  de  pris'ner,'  dey  ses  ter  Mistah  Deer. 
Deer  putt  him  down  an'  he  sot  dar  jes'  ez  ca'm  ez  you 
please,  still  gnorrin'  on  a  li'l  locus'  twig  he  bringed 
wid  'im.  ^Mawnin','  sezee,  ^gemmen,  mawnin'.  Hope 
I  sees  y'all  right  well.  Y'all  lookin'  tol'ble,  hope  you 
feelin'  dat-a-way,  dough  "look"  an'  "feel"  'spute  wid  one 
nu'rr  mighty  often  in  dis  worP.  Yer  me,  all  stove  up 
wid  de  rheumatiz,  dough  I  'spec'  you  oon  b'lieve  hit 
jes'  ter  look  at  me.' 

'De  kyouncil  ain'  pay  no  'tention  ter  his  gwines-on. 


103 


ii- 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 
Tris'ner,  has  you  anything  ter  say  fer  yo'se'f  ?'  dey  ax 


'im. 


"  Tlenty/  sezee,  cool  ez  a  cowcumber,  'did  any  pusson 
uver  see  de  time  w'en  I  kain't  wag  my  tongue  wid  de 
bes'?  But  ef  you  mean  ^bout  dem  hawns,  I  ain'  got 
nair'  wu'd  ter  say,  'ceptin'  dat  you  done  putt  'em  on 
me  too  suddintly.  Seem  like  dey  kind  er  goes  ter  my 
haid  an'  mek  me  wanter  do  diff'nt  f um  w'at  I  uver 
has  befo'.  Y'all  'd  orter  let  dem  hawns  grow  on  me, 
liT  at  a  time,  so's't  I  moughter  got  use'  to  'em.'  Den 
he  set  back  on  his  ha'nches  an'  look  lak  'twan't  none  er 
his  bizness  an'  he  wan't  kyarin'  w'at  dey  done  wid  'im. 

"De  kyouncil  lean  der  haids  on  der  ban's  an'  study 
'bout  de  marter,  an'  las'  dey  ses,  'Mebbe  we  done  mek 
too  much  has'e  in  dis  bizness,  so  we  ain'  gwine  be  too 
hard  on  you,  but  we  p'intedly  ses  ter  you  dat  you  kain't 
keep  dem  hawns;  we  'bleeged  ter  teck  'em  'way  f'um 
you  an'  gin  'em  ter  some  pusson  dat  gwine  mek  good 


use  uv  'em.' 


m 


^OV  Hyar'  he  say,  sezee:  'Gemmen,  dat  suit  me  to 
a  hya'r,  'kase  dey  is  too  big  fer  dis  chil'  an'  mek  him 
feel  kind  er  top-haivy.' 

"So  dey  ondone  'em  offen  Hyar',  an'  den  dey  call  up 
Deer  an'  ses,  'Mistah  Dapple-deer,  you  done  stuck  by 
de  kyouncil  an'  you  done  done  yo'  juty  in  the  place  whar 
we  putt  you  an'  you  has  foun'  Mistah  Hyar'  an'  bringed 
him  back  ter  we-all,  an'  so  now  we  gwine  gin  you  dese 
hawns  fer  de  reward  er  yo'  sarvices.' 

"So  Deer  he  go  tippin'  up  an'  kneel  down  an'  dey 
fasten  de  hawns  on  'im.  Um-umph !  No  sooner  done 
dan  he  scrabble  ter  his  footses  an'  gin  a  boun'  an'  went 
jumpin'  off  inter  de  bresh,  an'  dar  whar  he  bin  livin' 

104 


HOW    MR.    HARE    LOST    HIS    HORXS 

uver  sence.  Onct  in  a  whiles  you  kin  see  him  cross  de 
open,  but  he  do  hit  in  a  mighty  big  hurry,  I  tell  you, 
jes^  two  er  tlree  monst'ous  jumps  an'  he  git  clean  'cross 
a  big  fiel',  an'  even  den  he  sca'cely  uver  cross  lessen  de 
dogs  is  atter  'im,  an'  he  ain'  see  no  urr  way  ter  git 
outen  dey  road. 

"Hyar'  he  squat  dar  an'  look  atter  Mistah  Deer,  an' 
he  laugh  an'  he  laugh,  an  he  laugh  'twel  he  fall  over 
an'  roll  on  de  groun'.  Den  de  kyouncil  dey  ses,  "^Mistah 
Hyar',  we  wants  you  ter  set  up,  suh,  an'  quit  dis  'havish- 
ness;  dar  ain'  nuttin'  ter  laugh  'bout  in  dis  bizness, 
^kase  de  kyouncil  done  los'  nu'rr  good  member.'  01' 
H^-^r'  he  set  up  an'  he  bow  an'  he  scrape  an'  he  say,  he 
do,  '  'Scuse  me,  gemmen,  but  I  hatter  laugh  w'en  I  think 
'bout  de  effec'  er  dem  hawns  on  sech  a  well  behave'  pus- 
son  ez  Dapple-deer.  Dish  yer  gwine  I'arn  y'all,  I  reckon, 
dat  'tain'  safe  ter  pile  up  de  honors  on  a  man's  haid 
too  suddintly,  dey  kain't  stan'  hit.  Y'all  j)lease  'scuse 
me  ef  I  run  'long  atter  Dapple-deer,  'kase  I  done  had 
a  tas'e  er  livin'  in  de  bresh  an'  you  mus'n'  'spec  ter  see 
me  often  out  yer  in  de  open.  So  long,  gemmen,  so 
long !'  He  run  off  inter  de  bresh  an'  stay  dar,  befo' 
dey  kin  say  Jack  Robumsum,  an'  dat  w^at  all  de  hyar's 
bin  doin'  uver  sence." 


105 


WHY  THE  TITMOUSE  HAS  A  BLUNT  TONGUE 

The  children  sat  perfectly  quiet  after  Aunt  Throny 
had  finished  telling  them  about  how  Mr.  Hare  lost  his 
horns,  for  they  remembered  that  they  had  promised  not 
to  "pester"  for  more.  But  the  story-teller  was  in  an 
amiable  mood,  and,  without  solicitation,  went  on  to  re- 
late another  tale,  in  which  Mr.  Hare  figured  again. 

"Onct,"  she  said,  "ol'  Hyar'  wuz  livin'  ^way  off  in  de 
mountains,  so  high  up  dat  he  cu'd  look  out  over  de 
kyountry  an'  see  ev'y thing  an*  know  jes'  'zackly  w'en 
anything  wuz  gwine  on.  Ev'y  time  he  seed  a  big  smoke 
he  knowed  a  fire  bin  built  an'  dat  sump'n  er  nu'rr  wuz 
in  de  wind,  so  he  'ud  jes'  light  out  fer  de  place,  an' 
w'en  he  git  dar  he  alluz  start  np  some  trouble  er  ru'rr. 

"One  time  dar  wuz  a  heap  er  sickness  'mongs'  de  peo- 
ple, an'  so  dey  went  ter  wu'k  an'  had  a  medincin'- 
darnse." 

The  little  folks  wanted  to  know  what  a  medicine  dance 
might  be. 

"Oh,  honeys !"  Aunt  'Phrony  exclaimed,  "I  tell  you 
a  medincin'-darnse  wuz  one  big  time,  dat  hit  wuz !  My 
daddy  done  tol'  me  all  'bout  hit.  Dey  mos'  in  gin'ly 
hilt  de  darnse  in  de  fall,  dem  Injun  folks,  but  sometimes 
'twuz  in  de  spring,  an'  ef  dar  wuz  any  dese  yer  ketchin' 
diseases  'roun',  dey  hilt  hit  mos'  any  time  ter  keep  off 
de  sickness.     My  daddy's  people  b'lieve  ev'ything  dat 

106 


WHY  THE  TITMOUSE  HAS  A  BLUXT  TOXGUE 

grows  got  some  use  in  sickness.  Dey  ses  dat  long,  long 
time  ago  de  anermnels  got  toge^rr  an'  made  up  der  min's 
dat  dar  wuz  too  many  mens  in  de  worl',  so  dey  putt  der 
haids  toge'rr  and  got  up  a  pow'ful  lot  er  diseases  fer 
ter  kill  off  de  people.  Den  all  de  growin'  things,  w'en 
dey  got  de  news  er  dis,  dey  ses,  ^AYe-all  is  de  fren's  er 
men,  we  gwine  gin  'em  w'at  he'p  we  kin  in  dis  marter.' 
So  each  er  de  trees  an'  de  bushes  an'  de  yarbs  an'  de 
grasses  an'  de  mosses  dey  'greed  ter  gin  a  kyore  fer  some 
one'r  de  diseases  de  anermuels  done  brung  'pun  de  people. 
An'  de  people  got  so  dat  dey  knowed  'bout  dese  kyores, 
an'  dat  huccome  dey  have  de  medincin'-darnse. 

"I  done  tol'  you  'twus  a  mighty  big  time.  De  medin- 
cin'  men  dey'd  ga'rr  de  yarbs  an'  git  de  medincin'  raidy, 
an'  den  de  leader  he'd  git  up  an'  sing  sump'n  at  de  res'  er 
de  medincin'  men,  an'  den  dey'd  'spon'  back  at  'im  wid 
some  mo'  singin'.  Dey'd  keep  hit  up  dat-a-way  a  w'ile 
an'  den  de  darnse  wuz  hilt.  An'  all  de  time  hit  wuz 
gwine  on  de  people  wuz  drinkin'  de  medincin'.  Hit 
wuz  pass'  roun'  to  'em  wid  seven  dippers  in  each  mess  er 
de  medincin',  an'  ev'y  pusson  'bleeged  ter  teck  some. 
Dey  kep'  de  darnse  up  fo'  days,  an'  de  fo'th  day  dey 
hatter  go  widout  eatin'  all  day  long.  W'ensomuver  dey 
have  de  medincin'-darnse  dey  alluz  foller  hit  up  wid 
de  eagle-darnse  an'  de  pigeon-darnse,  an'  each  un  'em 
las'  fo'  days.  In  de  eagle-darnse  dey  use  de  eagle-fed- 
ders,  an'  daddy  say  'twuz  a  fine  sight,  all  dem  eagle- 
fedders,  each  un  'em  tip'  off  wid  a  li'l  bit  er  fur  f'um  de 
deer's  tail.    Dem  wuz  gran'  times,  I  tell  you ! 

"Well,  I  done  tol'  you  dar  wuz  a  lot  er  sickness  an' 
de  people  wuz  holdin'  one'r  dem  medincin'-darnses,  an' 
ol'  Hyar'  off  up  in  de  mountains  see  de  smoke  er  de 

107 


AT    THE    BIG   HOUSE 

fires  an'  come  down  ter  jine  in  de  fun.  "Wen  he  fin' 
out  ^bout  de  sickness,  hit  come  inter  his  min'  ter  play 
doctah,  so  he  go  roun'  savin'  he  wuz  a  gre't  medincin' 
man  an'  axin'  folks  ter  putt  out  der  tongues.    He'd  say, 


^r^ 


'Come  yer,  suh,  an'  putt  out  yo'  tongue,  fur  'z  you  kin, 
don'  be  'shame'  er  de  lenk  uv  hit,  'tain'  ev'yb'dy  got  sech 
a  good  swoUerer  ez  dat.'  Den  he'd  come  a  li'l  closter 
an'  teck  de  tongue  in  his  han'  an'  say,  ^Sho !  sho !  yo' 
t-ongue  mighty  coated,  suh.  'Pears  lak  yo'  stummick 
kain't  be  wu'kkin'  lak  she  orter;  lessee  'bout  dis.'    Wid 

108 


WHY  THE  TITMOrSE  HAS"  A  BLrXT  TOXGUE 

dat  he'd  gin  de  tongue  a  snatch  dat  pull  her  clean  out 
by  de  roots.  He  kilt  two  er  th'ee  pussons  dat-a-way 
an'  den  tucken  hisse'f  off  an'  hid  in  de  big  mountains 
whar  dev  kain't  fin'  him. 

"De  people  dey  wuz  plumb  outdone,  so  dey  hilt  a 
kyouncil  an'  mck  up  der  min's  dey  wuz  gwine  ketch 
'im  an'  fix  him  so's't  de  fus'  thing  he  knowed  he  oon 
know  nuttin'.  Dey  sa}',  ^De  bes'  way  ter  git  'im  down 
f \im  de  mountains  be  ter  build  a  fire/  so  dey  all  got 
toge'rr  an'  built  a  monst'ous  big  fire,  fus'  lightwood  an' 
den  bresh  an'  den  logs,  an'  dey  kep'  pilin'  her  up  an' 
pilin'  her  up  'twel  you  cu'd  see  de  light  fer  miles.  Dat 
fetched  'im.  But  he  wuz  too  smart  an'  too  skittish 
not  ter  know  dev  wuz  lavin'  fer  'im,  so  he  tucken  his 
medjures  'cordin'.  He  have  de  power  ter  turn  hisse'f 
inter  mos'  anything  he  wanter,  so  he  jes'  tucken  de 
shape  uv  a  b'ar  an'  come  scrunchin'  'long  an'  squat 
down  by  de  fire.  De  people  wuz  hid  off  in  de  bresh  wid 
der  bows  an'  arrers,  but  w'en  dev  see  'twan't  nuttin'  but 
a  b'ar  dey  ses,  ^We  ain'  have  no  qu'oil  wid  Mistah  B'ar. 
Jes'  we  let  him  'lone  an'  save  ow'  arrers  fer  dat  mis'able 
ol'  Hvar'.'  So  dev  done  dat,  an'  Hvar'  he  sot  dar  an'  sot 
dar,  sort  er  darin'  'em  ter  come  on,  but  dey  ain'  'spicion 
nuttin'  an'  after  w'ile  he  got  tired  an'  moseyed  'long 
back  ter  de  mountains  leavin'  'em  settin'  dar  watchin' 
an'  layin'  fer  'im. 

"Dey  kep'  on  buildin'  fires  an'  he  kep'  on  comin'  an' 
settin'  by  'em,  fus'  in  one  shape  an'  den  in  anu'rr  'twel 
las'  de  people  'gun  ter  see  thu  de  dodge  an'  dey  ses, 
^Well,  suh,  de  fool-killer  orter  come  'long  yer  an'  'tend 
ter  we-all,  we  sut'n'y  has  ac'  lak  plumb  ijits,  lettin'  dat 
ol'  rapskallion  come  yer  night  after  night  an'  set  by  de 

109 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

fire  an'  wo'm  hisse'f  an'  do  lak  he  own  de  place.  We  ain' 
got  no  sense  't  all  or  we'd  a  knowed  'twan't  nob'dy  else 
in  de  worF.  I  bonn'  you  he  bin  havin'  a  good  laugh 
'bout  us  wid  de  nabers  w'en  he  got  home.  'Twon't  do 
ter  let  dis  run  on  no  longer^  fer  ef  we  does,  he  sho'  ter 
git  we-all  inter  hot  water  somehow  er  nu'rr.  Now  de 
on'ies  wa}^  we  kin  mek  sho'  'bout  dis  is  jes'  ter  set  back 
in  de  bresh  an'  let  fly  at  any  creetur  whar  come  an'  squat 
hisse'f  by  dat  fire.  We  mus'  jes'  s'roun'  de  fire  an'  let 
de  arrers  zip  him  f  um  ev'y  side.' 

"Den  dey  went  ter  wu'k  an'  sont  noration  all  thu  de 
kyountry  dat  ev'y  pusson  w^har  kin  hannle  a  bow  an' 
arrer  mus'  come  ter  de  meetin'  dat  night,  even  de  li'l 
boys  wuz  t-er  jine  in.  All  dat  day  de  men  an'  de  boys 
wuz  keepin'  der  ban's  in,  shootin'  at  marks,  an'  de  wim- 
mins  an'  de  chillen  wuz  bringin'  de  bresh  an'  de  wood 
an'  pilin'  hit  high  fer  de  fire.  Soon  ez  'twuz  dark  dey 
lit  'er,  an'  my !  how  she  blaze  !  I  reckon  you  nuver  seed 
no  sech  a  fire  ez  dat  wuz.  Dar  wan't  no  wind,  an'  de 
flame  she  jes'  went  a  shootin'  up  in  de  air,  an'  ol'  Hyar' 
he  see  hit,  'way  off  in  de  mountains,  an'  he  rub  his 
ban's  toge'rr  an'  he  say,  sezee,  ^Nabers,  I  kain't  stay 
home  dis  night,  I  tell  you  dat,  p'in'-blank.  Dars  some 
kind  er  shindig  gwine  on  down  dar,  by  de  lookin's  er  dat 
fire,  an'  I'se  'bleeged  ter  know  w'at  'tis  an'  mebbe  tek 
a  han'  in  hit.' 

"De  nabers  dey  say,  'Yas,  reckon  'twon't  do  fer  you 
ter  stay  home  one  night,  some  'un  might  'spicion  dat 
you  wuz  a  decent,  sottled  sort  er  pusson  ef  you  done 
dat.  Bes'  g'long  an'  keep  up  de  name  you  done  mek 
fer  yo'se'f .' 

"Sezee  ter  hisse'f,  ^Dog-my-cats  ef  I  kyare,'  an'  wdd 

110 


WHY  THE  TITMOUSE  HAS  A  BLUNT  TOXGUE 

dat  he  riz  up  in  his  tracks  an'  putt  out  fer  cle  low  groun's 
so  fas'  dat  he  sca'cely  touch'  groun'  betwix'  jumps. 

"Jes'  befo'  he  got  dar  he  tuck  an'  change  hisse'f  inter 
nu'rr  shape  an'  went  r'arin'  an'  chargin'  up  ter  de  fire 
lak  he  wuz  pow'ful  big  an'  empawtant.  De  people  come 
miofhtv  nis^h  bein'  tuck  in  by  him  ao:'in,  Ijut  de  leader  gin 
de  signal  an'  dey  close  in  on  'im,  whoopin'  an'  yellin',  an' 
ketched  him  jes'  ez  he  wuz  tryin'  ter  slip  inter  de  bresh. 
No  sooner  is  dey  tetch  'im  dan  he  turnt  back  inter  his 
own  shape,  an'  dey  ses,  "^Uh-huh,  now  we  foun'  you,  suh, 
an'  finders  is  keepers,  you  done  ATarn  dat  all  yo'  life. 
Xeenter  kick,  suh,  we  ain'  min'  dat.  No  use  ter  thump 
de  groun'  wid  yo'  behime  foot,  neener,  'kase  der  ain' 
none  er  yo'  folks  widin  call.' 

"Wid  dat  dey  drug  him  'way  an'  tied  him  to  a  saplin'. 
Den  dey  all  stood  off  an'  tuck  aim  an'  de  arrers  jes' 
come  a-whizzin'  thu  de  air,  zippety-zip,  an'  struck  ol' 
Hyar'  mos'  ev'y  time.  He  wuz  too  big  a  cunjerer  ter  be 
'feard  er  dem  li'l  ol'  arrers,  so  he  jes'  stood  dar  laughin'. 
W'en  a  arrer  struck  him  hit  'ud  jes'  glance  off  widout 
hu'tin'  him  an'  he  do  lak  a  flea  bin  an'  bit  him.  Sezee, 
T"m-umph !  is  dat  nu'rr  flea  done  bit  me  ?  'Pears  lak 
I  got  a  mighty  big  crap  er  fleas  dis  season,  keep  me 
pow'ful  busy ;  'scuse  me,  gemmen,  ef  I  ain'  ez  mannerly 
ez  w'at  I  mos'  in  gin'ly  is,  dough  I  kin  do  dis  an'  lissen 
at  you,  too,  at  one  an'  de  same  time.' 

"He  wunk  one  eye  at  'em  an'  wuz  dat  peart  an'  sassy 
dat  de  people  fair'  foam  at  de  mouf  an'  dey  say,  ^Dish 
yers  a  sho'-'nuff  cunjerer  an'  'tain'  no  use  ow'  tryin'  ter 
kill  'im  by  owse'fs.  Le's  we  send  off  ter  one'r  ow'  med- 
incin'  men  an'  ax  'im  w'at  we  bes'  do  ter  kill  dis  owda- 
cious  creetur.' 

Ill 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

"Dev  kep'  him  tied  up  tcr  de  tree  an'  sont  off  ter  de 
medincin'  man,  an'  he  say,  *^Go  back  an'  tell  'em  ter  shoot 
him  in  de  haid.'  So  dey  all  tuck  der  bows  an  arrers  an' 
aimed  at  de  haid.  Bless  goodness,  'twnz  wuss  dan  befo'. 
Hyar'  jes'  stood  dar  an'  nuver  even  wnnk  his  eyeleds 
ner  twitched  his  whiskers,  an'  de  arrers  dey  jes'  fell  off 
lak  water  f  um  a  duck's  back.  Dey  seed  'twan't  no  use 
keepin'  dat  up,  so  dey  sont  off  ter  de  medincin'  man 
ag'in  an'  ax  him  fer  ter  please  putt  his  min'  ter  wu'k  an' 
he'p  'em  outer  der  fix,  'kase  ol'  Hyar'  ain'  daid  yit  ner 
showin'  nair'  sign  er  dyin',  an'  he  'bleeged  ter  git  way 
f  um  'em  an'  do  a  lot  er  meanness  vit  ef  dev  kain't  kill 
'im. 

"De  medincin'.  man  study  fer  a  w'ile  an'  den  he  say, 
"Well,  you-all  go  back  an'  tell  'em  I  say  dat  de  on'ies' 
way  dey  kin  kill  dat  creetur  is  ter  shoot  him  in  de  paw, 
dey  kin  try  f'um  now  'twel  nuver  an'  dey  kain't  do  hit 
no  way  but  dat,  an'  dey  neenter  try.' 

"Dey  went  back  an'  kyar'd  de  wu'd,  an'  all  de  men 
an'  boys  got  der  bows  an'  arrers  raidy  ag'in  an'  de  leader 
gin  de  wu'd,  ^Go !'  Dey  all  p'inted  der  arrers  at  ol'  man 
Hyar'  an'  let  'em  fly  toge'rr,  an'  Hyar'  he  knowed  dat 
his  time  done  come,  but  I  tell  you  he  died  right  game, 
sassy  ter  de  ve'y  las',  axin'  'em  w'y  dey  ain'  think  er 
doin'  dat-a-way  sooner. 

"Atter  he  wuz  daid  an'  dey  see  how  easy  'twuz  ter  kill 
'im,  dey  git  kind  er  mad  'kase  dey  ain'  do  hit  sooner, 
an'  dey  ses,  ^Xow,  w'y  in  de  name  er  common  sense  did 
dat  medincin'  man  putt  us  on  de  wrong  track,  tellin'  us 
ter  shoot  ol'  Hvar'  in  de  haid,  w^'v  ain'  he  tol'  us  ter 
shoot  him  in  de  paw  ?' 

"De  mo'  dey  thought  'bout  hit  de  madder  dey  got, 

112 


WHY  THE  TITMOUSE  HAS  A  BLUXT  TOXGUE 

an'  las'  dey  ses,  ^Dat  wuz  a  might}^  'ceitful,  low-down 
trick,  an'  seem  lak  we  orter  punish  'im  fer  dat,  'kase 
ef  we  lets  hit  go,  he  '11  git  so  we  kain't  putt  no  'pennance 
on  him  't  all  an'  he  ain'  be  no  kind  er  he'p  ter  we-alL' 

"De  medincin'  man  he  wnz  neener  mo'  ner  less  dan  de 
li'l  bu'd  whar  we  calls  de  '^chick-a-dee.'  De  Injuns  calls 
him  Thick-a-lee-lee,'  w'ich  soun'  mighty  nigh  de  same. 
Dey  go  off  an'  fin'  him  settin'  np  on  a  branch,  an'  call 
him  down  an'  ax  him  w'at  do  he  mean  bv  bein  so  'ceit- 
fnl  an'  puttin'  'em  on  de  wrong  track.  He  ain'  have 
nair'  wn'd  ter  say  fer  hisse'f,  dough  mos'  in  gin'l  he 
wuz  right  talky.  He  jes'  hang  his  li'l  haid  an'  look 
at  'em  outen  de  cornder  uv  his  eye.  I  'spec'  dey  moughter 
kilt  'im  ef  he  'd  gin  'em  any  sass,  but  'kase  he  ac'  lak 
he  "vsoiz  saw'y  dey  oon  do  dat.  Dey  ses,  Thick-a-lee-lee, 
suh,  you  bin  cunjerin'  fer  we-all  dis  long  time  an'  we 
done  place  ow'  'pennance  on  yo'  wu'd  an'  now  you  Ijin 
riffht  'ceitful  wid  us.  'Kase  you  done  tol'  us  a  fib  we 
gwine  teck  an'  cut  off  de  een'  uv  yo'  tongue  w'at  you  tol' 
hit  wid,  an'  dat  gwine  call  hit  ter  yo'  min'  ev'y  time 
you  is  temp'ed  ter  tell  a  fib.' 

"So  dey  tuck  an'  tuck  Chick-a-lee-lee  an'  cut  off  de  tip 
een'  uv  his  tongue  an'  dat  huccome  Chick-a-lee-lees  have 
blunt  tons^ues  uver  sence  dat  time.  An'  uver  sence  den 
dey  bin  tryin'  ter  curry  faver  wid  de  humans  an'  mek 
'em  fersfit  w'at  dev  done.  Dev  laks  ter  be  near  folks, 
an'  dey  mek  derse'fs  mighty  useful  stroyin'  de  bugs  an' 
de  wu'ms  offen  de  fruit  trees.  Even  w'en  de  snow  is  on 
de  groun'  dey  come  hoppin'  roun'  de  houses,  an'  dey  look 
might'ly  please'  ef  you  tek  notuss  uv  'em.  Dey  sets  der 
haids  on  one  side  an'  looks  up  at  you  outer  dey  li'l  bright 
eyes  an'  axes, 

113 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

Chich-a-Iee  ?     Chiclc-a-lee  ? 
Is  you  fren's  ivid  me? 
Ef  you  isn  you  orter  he! 
Cliich-a-lee-lee  f     ChicTc-a-he-lee  9 
Chiclc-a-lee r '' 

As  she  finished  the  story,  Aunt  Thronv  looked  around 
and  saw  her  grandson  stretched  out  on  the  ground  be- 
hind her,  fast  asleep.  "Wi^yum  !  AYi'yum  !  Hi,  Wi'yum  V^ 
she  called  without  effect.  "Wake  up,  Wi'yum !  You 
year  me,  suh !  Time  I  come  dar  an'  walk  up  an'  down 
yo'  body  a  time  er  two,  I  reckon  you  wake  up  !  I  thought 
dat  fotch  you,  suh.  Jes'  you  g'long  dis  minnit  an' 
ga'rr  up  dem  nuts  an'  putt  'em  in  de  bag,  an'  I  'spec' 
you-all  chillen  bes'  he'p  me  git  de  baskits  an'  things 
to2:e'rr  an'  2:0  down  ter  de  branch  an'  wash  vo'  face  an' 
ban's,  'kase  yo'  Uncle  Hinry  be  plumb  scannelize  ef  I 
brings  you  home  lookin'  lak  dat.  Den  we  mus'  be 
movin'  outen  dis  ef  we  gwine  git  home  befo'  sundown; 
dat  is/'  as  she  saw  signs  of  reluctance,  "lessen  you 
wanster  stay  yer  all  night  long  wid  some  er  de  creeturs 
I  done  tol'  you  'bout." 


114 


THE  WOMAX  WHO  MAERIED  AX  OWL 


"\Mien  the  children  got  home  from  the  nutting  expe- 
dition and  had  eaten  supper,  they  sat  around  discon- 
tentedly, wishino^  everv  few  minutes  that  their  mother 
had  returned. 

"I  wish  mamma  would  come  back,"  said  Xed.  "I 
never  know  what  to  do  in  the  evening  when  she  isn't 
home." 

"I  ^low  'bout  de  bes'  you-all  kin  do  is  ter  lemme  putt 
vou  ter  baid,"  said  Aunt  Thronv. 

'^^Don't  want  to  go  to  bed,"  "I'm  not  sleep}^,"  "Want 
to  stay  up,"  came  in  chorus  from  three  pairs  of  lips. 

"You  chillen  is  -Rnisser  dan  night  owls,"  said  the  old 
woman.  "Ef  you  keeps  on  wid  dis  settin'-up-all-night 
bizness,  I  boun'  some  er  you  gwine  turn  inter  one'r  dese 
yer  big,  fussy  owls  wid  yaller  eyes  styarin',  jes'  de  way 
li'l  Mars  Kit  doin'  dis  veV  minnit,  tryin'  ter  keep  hisse'f 
awake.  An'  dat  'mines  me  uv  a  owl  whar  turnt  hisse'f 
inter  a  man,  an'  ef  a  owl  kin  do  dat,  w'ats  ter  hinner 
one'r  you-all  turnin'  inter  a  owl,  I  lak  ter  know  ?  So  you 
bes'  come  'long  up  ter  baid,  an'  ef  you  is  right  spry 
gettin'  raidy,  mebbe  I'll  whu'l  in  an'  tell  you  'bout  dat 
owl." 

The  little  procession  moved  upstairs,  Coonie,  the 
house-boy,  bringing  up  the  rear  with  an  armful  of  sticks 
and  some  fat  splinters  of  lightwood, .  which  were  soon 

115 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

blazing  with  an  oily  sputter.  Coonie  scented  a  story, 
and  his  bullet  pate  was  bent  over  the  fire  an  unnecessa- 
rily long  time,  as  he  blew  valiant  puffs  upon  the  flames 
which  no  longer  needed  his  assistance,  and  arranged  and 
rearranged  his  skilfully  piled  sticks. 

'^Quit  dat  foolishness,  nigger,^^  said  ^Phrony  at  last, 
'^an'  set  down  on  de  ha^th  an^  ^have  yo'se'f.  Ef  you 
wanter  stay,  whyn't  you  sesso,  stidder  blowin'  yo'se'f 
black  in  de  face  ?  Now,  den,  ef  y'all  raidy,  I  gwine  be- 
gin. 

"Dish  yer  w'at  I  gwine  tell  happen  at  de  time  er  de 
'ear  w'en  de  Injuns  wuz  havin'  der  green-cawn  darnse, 
an'  I  reckon  you-all  'bout  ter  ax  me  w'at  dat  is,  so  I 
s'pose  I  mought  ez  well  tell  you.  'Long  in  Angus'  w'en 
de  Injuns  stopped  wu'kkin  de  cawn,  w'at  we  call  ^layin' 
by  de  crap,'  den  dey  cu'd  mos'  times  tell  ef  'twuz  gwine- 
ter  be  a  good  crap,  so  dey  'mence  ter  git  raidy  fer  de 
darnse  nigh  a  month  befo'han'.  De}^  went  ter  de  med- 
incin'  man  an'  axed  him  fer  ter  'pint  de  day.  Den 
medincin'  man  he  sont  out  runners  ter  tell  ev'b'dy,  an' 
de  runners  de}^  kyar'd  'memb'ance-strings  wid  knots 
tied  all  'long  'em,  an'  give  'em  ter  de  peo^^le  fer  ter  he'p 
'em  'member.  De  folks  dey'd  cut  off  a  knot  f'um  de 
string  each  day,  an'  w'en  de  las'  one  done  cut  off,  den 
dey  know  de  day  fer  de  darnse  wuz  come.  An'  de  med- 
incin' man  he  sont  out  hunters,  too,  fer  ter  git  game, 
an'  mo'  runners  fer  ter  kyar'  hit  ter  de  people  so's't 
dey  mought  cook  hit  an'  bring  hit  in. 

"W'en  de  time  come,  de  people  ga'rred  toge'rr  an' 
de  medincin'  man  he  tucken  some  er  de  new  cawn  an' 
some  uv  all  de  craps  an'  burnt  hit,  befo'  de  people 
wuz  'lowed  ter  eat.  any.    After  de  burnin',  den  he  tucken 

116 


THE   WOMAX  WHO   MAREIED   AN"   OWL 

a  year  er  cawn  in  one  han'  an^  ax  fer  blessin's  an' 
good  craps  wid  dat  han',  w'ile  lie  raise  up  tu'rr  lian'  ter 
de  storm  an'  de  win'  an'  de  liail  an'  baig  'em  not  ter 
bring  evil  'pun  de  people.  Atter  dat,  dey  all  made  der 
bre'kfus'  offen  roas'in'-years  er  de  new  cawn  an'  den  de 
darnse  begun  an'  lasted  f o'  days  an'  f o'  nights ;  de  men 
dress'  up  in  der  bes'  an'  de  gals  wearin'  gre't  rattles  tied 
on  der  knees,  dat  shuk  an'  rattled  wid  ev'y  step. 

"De  gal  whar  I  gwine  tell  'bout  wuz  on  her  way  home 
on  de  fo'th  night,  an'  she  wuz  pow'ful  tired,  'kase  dem 
rattles  is  monst'ous  haivy,  an'  she  bin  keepin'  hit  up  fo' 
nights  han'  runnin'.  She  wuz  gwine  thu  a  dark  place 
in  de  woods  w'en  suddintly  she  seed  a  young  man  all 
wrop  up  in  a  sof  gray  blankit  an'  leanin'  'gins'  a  tree. 
His  eyes  wuz  big  an'  roun'  an'  bright,  an'  dey  seemed  ter 
bu'n  lak  fire.  Dem  e3^es  drord  de  gal  an'  drord  de  gal 
'twel  she  wan't  'feard  no  mo',  an'  she  come  nearer,  an' 
las'  he  putt  out  his  arms  wrop  up  in  de  gray  blanket 
an'  drord  her  clost  'twel  she  lean  erg'in  him,  an'  she  look 
up  in  de  big,  bright  cats  an'  she  say,  ^Whar  is  you,  whar 
is  you?'  An'  he  say,  ^Oo-goo-coo,  Oo-goo-coo.'  Dat  wuz 
de  QYvMYTxhee  name  fer  '^owl,'  but  de  gal  ain'  pay  no 
'tention  ter  dat,  for  mos'  er  de  Injun  men  wuz  name' 
atter  bu'ds  an'  beas'eses  an'  sech  ez  dat.  Atter  dat  she 
useter  go  out  ter  de  woods  ev'y  night  ter  see  de  young 
man,  an'  she  alluz  sing  out  ter  him,  ^Whar  is  you,  whar 
is  you?'  an'  he'd  arnser,  ^Oo-goo-coo,  Oo-goo-coo.'  Dat 
wuz  de  on'ies  wu'd  he  uver  say,  but  de  gal  thought  'twuz 
all  right,  fer  she  done  mek  up  her  min'  dat  he  'longed 
ter  nu'rr  tribe  er  Injuns  whar  spoke  diff'nt  f'um  her 
own  people.  Sidesen  dat,  she  love'  him,  an'  w'en  gals 
is  in  love  dey  think  ev'ything  de  man  do  is  jes'  'bout 

117 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

riglit,  an'  dcse  ycr  co' tin-couples  is  no  gre't  han's  fcr 
talkin'^  nohow. 

"De  gal's  daddy  wuz  daid  an'  her  an'  her  mammy  live 
all  "lone,  so  las'  she  mek  np  her  min'  dat  it  be  heap 
mo'  hand}^  ter  have  a  man  ronn'  de  house,  so  she  up 
an'-  tell  her  mammy  dat  she  done  got  ma'ied.  Her 
mammy  say,  'You  is,  is  you?  Well,  who  de  man?'  De 
gal  say  *^Oo-goo-coo.'  'Well,  den,'  sez  her  mammy,  'I 
reckon  you  bes'  bring  home  dish  yer  Oo-goo-coo  an'  see 
ef  we  kain't  mek  him  useful.  A  li'l  good  game,  now  an' 
den,  'ud  suit  my  mouf  right  well.  We  ain'  have  nair' 
pusson  ter  do  no  huntin'  fer  us  sence  yo'  daddy  died.' 

"  'Mammy,'  sez  de  gal,  'I'se  'bleeged  ter  tell  you  dat 
my  husban'  kain't  speak  ow'  langwidge.' 

"'All  de  better,'  sez  her  mammy,  sez  she.  "Dar  ain' 
gwine  be  no  trouble  'bout  dat,  'kase  I  kin  do  talkin' 
'nuff  fer  two,  an'  I  ain'  want  one  dese  yer  back-talkin' 
son-in-laws,  nohow.' 

"So  de  nex'  night  de  gal  went  off  an'  comed  back  late 
wid  de  young  man.  Her  mammy  ax  him  in  an'  gin 
him  a  seat  by  de  fire,  an'  dar  he  sot  all  wrop  up  in  his 
blankit,  wid  his  haid  turnt  'way  f'um  de  light,  not  sayin' 
nuttin'  ter  nob"'d3^  An  de  fire  died  down  an'  de  wind 
blewed  mo'nful  outside,  an'  dar  he  sot  on  an'  on,  an' 
w'en  de  wimmins  went  ter  sleep,  dar  he  wuz  settin', 
still.  But  in  de  mawnin'  w^'en  dey  wolfed  up  he  wuz 
gone,  an'  dey  ain'  see  hya'r  ner  hide  uv  'im  all  day. 

"De  nex'  night  he  come  erg'in  and  bringed  a  lot  er 
game  wid  'im,  an'  he  putt  dat  down  at  de  do'  an'  set 
hisse'f  down  by  de  fire  an'  stay  dar,  same  ez  befo',  not 
sayin'  nair'  wu'd.  Dat  kind  er  aggervex  de  gal's  mammy 
at  las',  'kase  she  wuz  one'r  dese  yer  wimmins  whar  no 

118 


THE   WOMAX   WHO    MAREIED   AX   OAYL 

sooner  gits  w^at  cley  ax  fer  clan  dey  ain'  kyare  ^bout  hit 
no  mo'.  She  want  son-in-hi^v  whar  kain't  talk^  she  git 
him,  an'  den  she  want  one  whar  kin  arnser  back.  She 
gittin'  kind  er  jubous  'bout  him,  but  she  'feared  ter  say 
anything  fer  fear  he  quit  an'  she  git  no  mo'  game. 

"Thu'd  night  he  come  onct  mo'  wid  a  passel  er  game, 
an'  she  mighty  cur'ous  'bout  him  by  dat  time.  She  say 
ter  husse'f,  ^"Well  I  ef  I  ain'  got  de  curisomest  son-in-law 
in  dese  diggin's,  den  I  miss  de  queschin.  I  wunner  w"at 
mek  him  set  wid  his  face  turnt  f'um  de  fire  an'  blinkin' 
his  eyes  all  de  time  ?  I  wimner  w'v  he  ain'  nuver  onloose 
dat  blankit,  an'  w'y  he  g'longs  off  'fo'  de  daylight  an' 
nuver  comes  back  'twel  de  dark.' 

"  '^Oh,  mammy,'  sez  de  gal,  sez  she,  'ain'  I  tol'  you 
he  kain't  speak  ow'  langwidge,  an'  I  'spec'  he  done  come 
f'um  dat  wo'm  kvountry  whar  we  year  tell  l^out,  'way  off 
yonner,  an'  dat  huccome  he  hatter  keep  his  blankit 
roun'  him.  I  reckon  he  o^it  so  tired  huntin'  all  day,  no 
wunner  he  hatter  blink  his  eyes  ter  keep  'em  open.' 

"But  her  mammy  wan't  sassified,  'kase  hit  mio^hty 
hard  ter  haid  off  one'r  dese  yer  pryin'  wimmins,  so  she 
go  outside  an'  ga'rr  ujd  some  lightwood  splinters  an' 
th'ow  'em  on  de  fire,  dis-away,  all  uy  a  suddint."  Here 
the  old  woman  rose  and  threw  on  a  handful  of  lightwood, 
which  blazed  up  with  a  great  sputtering,  and  in  the 
strong  light  she  stood  before  the  fire  enacting  the  part 
of  the  scared  Owl  for  the  delighted  yet  half-startled 
children. 

"An'  w'en  she  th'owed  hit  on,^'  Aunt  'Phrony  pro- 
ceeded, "de  fire  blaze  an'  spit  an'  sputter  jes'  lak  dis  do, 
an'  de  ooman  she  fotched  a  yell  an'  cried  out,  she  did, 
'Lan'  er  de  mussiful  I    Wat  cur'ous  sort  er  wood  is  dish 

119 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

yer  dat  ac'  lak  dis?'  De  Owl  he  wiiz  startle'  an'  he  look 
roim'  Slid  dint,  dis-a-way,  over  his  shoulder,  an'  de  wim- 
mins  dey  let  out  a  turr'ble  screech,  'kase  dey  seed  'twan't 
nuttin'  but  a  big  owl  settin'  dar  blinkin'. 

"Owl  seed  he  wuz  foun'  out,  an'  he  riz  up  an'  give  his 
gre't,  wide  wings  a  big  flop,  lak  dis,  an'  swoop  out  de 
do'  cryin'  ^Oo-goo-coo  !  Oo-goo-eoo  !'  ez  he  flewed  off  inter 
de  darkness."  Here  x\unt  'Phrony  spread  her  arms  like 
wings  and  made  a  swoop  half-way  across  the  room  to  the 
bedside  of  the  startled  children.  "An'/^  she  continued, 
"de  wind  howl  mo'nful  all  night  long,  an'  seem  ter  de 
gal  an'  her  mammy  lak  'twuz  de  voice  of  po'  Oo-goo-coo 
mo'nin'  fer  de  gal  he  love." 

"And  didn't  he  ever  come  back  ?"  said  I^ed. 

"Naw,  suh,  dat  he  didn'.  He  wuz  too  'shame'  ter 
come  back,  an'  he  bin  so  'shame'  er  de  trick  uver  sence 
dat  he  hide  hisse'f  way  in  de  daytime  an'  nuver  come  out 
'twel  de  dusk,  an'  den  he  go  sweepin'  an'  swoopin'  'long 
on  dem  gre't  big  sof  wdngs,  so  quiet  dat  he  ain'  mek  de 
ghos'  uv  a  soun',  jes'  looks  lak  a  big  shadder  flittin' 
roun'  in  de  dusk.  He  teck  dat  time,  too,  'kase  he  know 
dat  'bout  den  de  li'l  fiel'  mouses  an'  sech  ez  dat  comes 
out  an'  'mences  ter  run  roun',  an'  woe  be  unter  'em  ef 
dey  meets  up  wid  Mistah  Owl ;  deys  a-goner,  sho'." 

"But  how  could  they  think  an  owl  was  a  man  ?"  asked 
Janev. 

"Well,  honey,  de  tale  ain'  tell  dat,  but  I  done  study 
hit  out  dis-a-way,  dat  mo'n  likely  de  gal  bin  turnin'  up 
her  nose  at  some  young  Injun  man,  an'  outer  spite  he 
done  gone  an'  got  some  witch  ter  putt  a  spell  on  her 
so's't  de  Owl  'ud  look  lak  a  man  an'  she  'ud  go  an' 
th'ow  husse'f  awav  on  a  ol'  no-kvount  bu'd.     Yas,  I 

120 


THE  WOMAX  WHO  MARRIED  AX  OWL 

reckon  dat  wiiz  'bout  cle  way.  An'  now  y'all  l3etter  shet 
up  dem  peepers  er  you'll  be  gittin'  lak  de  owls^  no  good 
in  de  daytime,  an'  wantin'  ter  be  up  an'  prowlin'  all 
night." 


121 


MR.    MUD-TUETLE"S    ADVENTURE 

The  next  day  tlie  children  went  down  to  the  river  for 
the  first  time^,  under  the  guidance  and  protection  of 
William,  who  knew  the  short  cut  through  the  low- 
grounds  and  just  which  were  the  places  where  you  were 
most  likely  to  get  a  bite,  for  the  river  and  he  were  old 
and  dear  acquaintances  and  had  communed  together 
through  many  a  long,  sunny  day.  The  river  had  im- 
parted many  of  its  choicest  secrets  to  him,  for  there  is 
no  one  with  whom  Madam  Xature  lives  on  closer  terms 
of  intimacy  and  sympathy  than  with  that  wholly  un- 
trammeled  and  entirely  natural  animal,  known  as  "The 
Bov.^^ 

William  was  the  possessor  of  a  vast  store  of  infor- 
mation dear  to  the  heart  of  childhood,  and  was  never 
better  pleased  than  when  called  upon  to  impart  some 
of  his  knowledge  to  the  less  enlightened.  He  knew  and 
could  imitate  the  notes  of  the  birds  and  the  cries  of  the 
beasts.  He  could  tell  when  spring  was  approaching  or 
summer  departing  by  the  arrival  or  departure  of  certain 
birds,  or  the  preparations  made  by  certain  animals.  He 
could  tell  time  by  looking  at  the  sun  and  was  learned  in 
weather-signs.  He  had  other  information,  besides,  of  a 
lesser  but  more  practical  sort,  for  he  knew  the  where- 
abouts of  a  shellbark  hickorv,  the  onlv  one  for  miles 
around,  and  had  located  a  persimmon  tree  whose  crop 

122 


MR.    MUD-TURTLE'S    ADYEXTURE 

never  failed  and  whose  fruit  was  described  as  "mon- 
st'ous'^  for  size.  He  l^new  how  to  make  a  running  noose, 
and  could  lasso  a  fleeing  calf  with  the  ease  born  of 
long  practice.  He  was  an  authority  on  jack-knives,  and 
could  carve  peach-stone  baskets,  make  slings  and  whis- 
tles and  manufacture  bows  and  arrows.  He  was  well  up 
in  marbles  and  knew  Just  how  many  "commies"  to  give 
for  an  "ally,'^  and  how  many  allies  for  a  "glassy,"  and 
if  he  pla3^ed  "for  keeps"  was  pretty  sure  to  do  all  the 
keeping. 

"Jack-straws"  and  "mumble-the-peg"  were  also  among 
his  lighter  accomplishments,  but  the  one  which 
exalted  him  most  in  the  eves  of  the  children  was  his 
skill  as  a  bareback  rider.  As  he  rode  a  big  horse  to 
wat^r,  sitting  sidewise,  whooping  and  digging  his  naked 
feet  into  the  animal  to  urge  him  to  greater  speed,  their 
admiration  was  unbounded.  Yet  this  was  not  the  end 
of  his  resources,  for  he  could  take  you  to  a  wonderful 
grapevine  swing,  in  which  you  could  swing  perilously  out 
over  the  edge  of  a  deep  hollow,  holding  your  breath  fear- 
fully until  you  landed  on  terra  fir  ma  again ;  or  he  could 
pilot  you  to  an  old  peach-tree  which  exuded  enough  gum 
to  supply  a  dozen  children;  or  he  could  take  you  to  a 
place  where  Indian  arrow-heads  were  still  to  be  found; 
and  added  to  all  this,  he  knew  a  spot  in  the  garden 
where  the  youthful  fishermen  could  always  find  worms 
for  bait. 

He  was  important  and  happy  as  he  marshaled  his 
little  company  down  to  the  bank  of  the  dark,  sluggish 
river  that,  like  some  noiselessly  gliding  snake,  wound 
in  and  out  beneath  the  cypresses  and  the  pines.  He  chose 
a  safe  sjDot  for  the  children,  near  a  shallow,  and  baited 

123 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

hooks  all  around^  and  then,  removing  himself  a  short  dis- 
tance, sat  immovable,  j^ole  in  hand  and  bait  in  mouth, 
waiting  for  a  bite  with  all  the  patient  impatience  of  the 
born  ano-ler. 

His  little  companions  found  too  much  to  look  at 
and  wonder  about  and  talk  over  to  make  a  success 
at  fishing,  and  they  sadly  interfered  with  his  sport ;  but 
after  a  wdiile  they  tired  of  waiting  for  a  bite  and  wan- 
dered up  and  down  the  bank  in  search  of  shells  and 
bright  pebbles  and  all  the  other  treasures  which  generous 
rivers  lay  out  upon  their  banks  within  reach  of  small 
hands.  Then  they  wandered  a  little  way  into  the  bushes 
in  search  of  woodland  treasures,  and  at  last,  growing 
tired,  they  rested  beneath  a  tree,  while  little  Kit  laid  his 
head  in  Janey's  lap  and  fell  fast  asleep.  Here  Aunt 
'Phrony  found  them  when  she  came  to  say  that  dinner 
was  ready. 

"Whar  dat  boy  Wi'yum?^^  she  asked;  ^^fishin'  yit,  1*11 
be  boun' !  Jes^  let  him  git  a  pole  in  his  han^  an'  he  nuver 
know  ef  he's  'wake  er  sleep  er  full  er  empty.  Wi'yum ! 
You  Wi'yum !  Kain't  you  arnser  me,  er  is  I  gotter  come 
dar  an'  stomp  all  over  you  !" 

However,  she  was  not  forced  to  administer  correction 
in  that  comprehensive  form,  for  just  then  Wi'yum  gave 
an  excited  vrhoop,  as  though  to  announce  something  im- 
portant, and  on  hurrying  down  they  found  him  in  the  act 
of  securing  a  good-sized  mud-turtle.  Aunt  'Phrony  lent 
her  aid,  in  as  great  a  state  of  excitement  as  Wi'yum 
himself,  whom  she  advised  to  be  very  careful  or  he  might 
lose  his  turtle,  for  "mud-turkles,"  she  said,  were  "mighty 
slickry  an'  onsut'n,  an'  lessen  you  keeps  a  sharp  eye 


124 


MR.    MUD-TrETLE'S    ADVEXTrEE 

on  ^em  dev  may  ffit  Vav  f "um  you,  same  ez  dat  trickish 
ol'  Mistah  Mud-turkle  git  'way  f'um  de  creetiirs  one 
time  w'en  dev  thought  dey  sho'-'nuff  had  'im.  Ef  y'all 
hurry  up  yo'  cakes  an'  ga'rr  yo'  trash  toge'rr  an'  come 
''lonor  home  dis  ve'v  minnit,  mebbe  I'll  tell  you  dat  tale 
ez  we  go  'long/' 

The  treasures  so  disrespectfully  referred  to  as  "trash" 
were  caught  up  in  great  haste  and  the  homeward  proces- 
sion formed.  Wi  yum  leading  the  way^  proudly  bearing 
the  mud-turtle. 

"Well,  ez  I  wuz  sayin',"  the  old  woman  went  on, 
"Mistah  Mud-turkle  he  wuz  a  mighty  slickry  man.  an' 
he  bin  up  ter  mo'  tricks  dan  you  kin  shake  a  stick  at, 
an'  he  git  right  onpop'lous  wid  de  creeturs.  He  knowed 
dey  wuz  sort  er  layin'  fer  'im,  an'  ev'ry  now  an'  den  he'd 
come  up  f'um  de  bottom  er  de  riyer  an'  ketch  'em  on  de 
bank  watchin'  fer  'im.  Den  he'd  kick  his  behime  laigs 
up  in  de  air  at  'em  an'  diye  down  wid  a  gre't  splash. 
Atter  a  li'l  he'd  come  up  ag'in,  unner  de  shadder  uy  a 
big  lily  pad,  an'  lay  jes'  below  de  top  er  de  water  wid  his 
snout  out  ter  git  de  air,  watchin'  de  creeturs  whar  wuz 
layin'  fer  him.  Wen  dey  wan't  lookin'  he'd  climb  up  on 
de  loo-  a2:'in,  an'  ef  dey  showed  sims  er  mekin'  a  snatch 
at  'im,  down  he'd  go  wid  anu'rr  splash. 

"One  time  dey  ketched  'im  w'en  he  bin  mo'  rantanker- 
ous  dan  uyer  befo',  an'  dey  ses  to  'im,  '^Mistah  Mud- 
turkle,  we  is  ye'y  saw'y  we  hatter  speak  so  plain  ter  you, 
but  de  trufe  is  we  done  gin  you  a  long  rope  an'  now 
3'ou  is  come  ter  de  plumb  een'  uy  hit  an'  we  kain't  pay 
out  no  mo',  we  'bleeged  ter  pull  you  up  shawt  on  de 
road  you  is  gwine,  an'  we'se  sut'n'y  saw'y  ter  fotch  you 


125 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

up  wid  a  ju'k  but  we  done  made  up  ow'  min's  dat  we 
mus'  do  hit  emejiatel}^,  so  we  gwine  exescoot  you  on 
de  spot/ 

"Or  Mud-turkle  he  ^suade  an'  he  'suade  an'  he  *suade, 
but  'twan't  no  use,  an'  las'  he  say,  '^Gemmen,  dish  yer  is 
mighty  hard  on  bofe  un  us,  'kase  I  'low  dat  you  ain' 
hone  ter  do  dis  an'  I  knows  I  ain'  hone  ter  have  hit  done, 
but  ef  exescoot  is  de  T\^ud,  w'y  den  exescoot  mus'  be  de 
deed.  But  I  ax  y'all,  gemmen,  'kase  jou  is  fambl}^  men, 
same  ez  me,  ter  please  lemme  go  home  an'  bid  far'well 
ter  my  ol'  ooman  an'  de  chillens.' 

"Den  he  drord  down  one  er  his  th'ee  pairs  er  eyelcds 
an'  sot  dar  lookin'  jes'  ez  sleepy  ez  you  please  an'  ez 
harmless  ez  ef  he  ain'  nuver  kotched  an'  et  even  so  much 
ez  a  frog  er  a  tadpole. 

"De  creeturs  wuz  might'ly  tickled  by  w'at  he  ax  'bout 
goin'  home  ter  bid  far'well,  but  dey  wan't  tucken  in  by 
hit,  so  dey  ses,  ^Saw'3^  not  ter  'commodate  you,  but  to- 
day's right  yer  an'  to-morrer's  right  dar,  an'  de  bu'd  in 
de  han'  's  wuf  two  in  de  bush,  so  you  mought  ez  well  mek 
yo'  reddymints  an'  say  yo'  pra'rs,  'kase  we  is  gwine  putt 
you  in  de  midse  er  dish  yer  big  fire  we  buildin'  up,  an' 
dat  '11  mek  sho'  you  kain't  cut  no  mo'  er  yo'  highf alutins 
in  dese  diggin's.' 

"Turkic  he  wuz  kind  er  cas'  down  fer  a  minnit,  an'  sot 
dar  wid  his  jaw  drapt,  but  pres'n'y  he  git  a  notion  dat 
perk  him  up  might'ly,  an'  he  say,  ^Sho !  you-all  done 
tucken  so  much  trouble  'bout  dat  fire  dat  I  is  mos' 
'shame'  ter  tell  you,  yo'  wu'k  ain'  gwine  'mount  ter 
shucks,  'kase  I  wuz  bawnded  an'  brunged  up  in  de  fire, 
an'  ef  dar  is  one  place  mo'n  a  nu'rr  whar  I  feels  at  home, 
hits  spang  in  de  fire.' 

126 


O 
O 

S3 


Si 


MR.    MUD-TURTLE'S    ADVEXTURE 

"Den  de  creeturs  go  off  lil  ways  an'  have  a  confab, 
an'  den  dey  come  back  an'  putt  a  big  pot  er  water  on 
de  fire,  an'  w'en  bit  git  ter  bilin',  dey  ses,  ^Well,  Mistah 
Mud-turkle,  yo'  time  is  sho'ly  come  now,  fer  onet  yon 
strike  dat  bilin'  water  we  gwine  th'ow  you  in,  bit  '11  be 
good-by,  ^listali  ^lud-turkle.' 

"Den  he  sa}",  sezee,  ^Gemmen,  I'se  saw'y  ter  see  you 
was'e  so  much  er  yo'  time  on  a  no-kyount  creetur  lak 
me,  so  I  gwine  tell  you  you  kain't  kill  me  dat-a-way.  T 
a  in'  min'  ef  you  putt  me  in  de  pot,  'kase  all  I  gotter 
do  be  ter  scrabble  roun'  a  li'l  an'  kick  out  my  footses, 
an'  I  got  sech  strenk  in  'em  dat  firs'  news  you  know  de 
pot  be  over  an'  mo'n  likely  some  er  you-all  whar  ain'  got 
a  shell  on  you  be  scalt  stidder  me.  I'se  saw'y  ter  upsot 
yo'  plans,  but  I  be  boun'  ter  upsot  de  pot,  dat's  de  gospel 
trufe.* 

"By  dat  time  de  creeturs  wuz  kind  er  outdone,  an'  dey 
say,  T/b's  we-all  tek  de  mis'able  ol'  bag-er-shucks  an' 
th'ow  him  ker-smack  inter  de  river,  I  boun'  you  dat  be 
big  'nuff  so's't  he  kain't  kick  outen  hit.' 

"Or  Turkic  he  snicker  ter  hisse'f  w'en  he  year  dat, 
'kase  he  see  dey  done  fergot  he  b'long  in  de  river.  Den 
he  say  wid  a  turr'ble  whine  in  his  voice,  '^Oh,  please, 
gemmen,  fer  de  love  er  mussy  don'  you  go  fer  ter  th'ow 
me  in  de  river.  Kill  me  any  way  you  wanter,  but  not 
dat ;  seem  lak  I  kain't  stan'  hit  ter  be  at  de  bottom  er  de 
col',  dark  river.' 

"He  kep'  gwine  on  dat-a-way  'kase  he  knowed  de 
creeturs  be  sho'  ter  putt  him  dar  ef  dey  think  he  ain' 
•wanter  go,  but  in  co'se  de  river  wuz  prezackly  de  place 
whar  he  b'long  an'  whar  he  wanter  be. 

"Sho'  'nufi !  dey  tucken  him  by  de  tail  an'  drug  him 

127 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

down  to  (le  river,  liim  baiggin'  all  de  time,  ^Oh,  please, 
siih,  lemme  go !  Please  don'  do  me  dis-a-way !  Lemme 
off  dis  time  an'  I  ain'  do  so  no  mo' !'  De  creetnrs  ain'  pay- 
no  'tention  but  go  right  on  an'  th'ow  him  inter  de  deepes' 
place  whar  dey  kin  fin'.  Wen  he  git  ter  de  bottom  he 
laid  dar  still  ez  a  mouse,  not  even  so  mnch  ez  twitchin' 
his  tail,  an'  dey  thought  he  wuz  sho'-'nufE  daid  an'  went 
of?  an'  lef  him. 

"Wen  dey  git  of?  a  piece,  he  open  one  eye  mighty 
kyarfiil  an'  wall  hit  roun'  a  li'l  an'  seed  de  coas'  w^nz 
cle'r.  Den  he  'gun  ter  climb  out  on  tn'rr  bank.  Wen 
he  wuz  clean  up  on  de  bank  an'  knowed  dey  cu'dden  git 
'cross  to  him,  he  fetched  a  big  whoop,  an'  w'en  dey  turn 
roun'  ter  look  he  sing  out,  ^Hi,  yi !  gemmen,  how  is  dish 
ver  fer  a  exescooshun  ?  Come  'lons^  over  ver  an'  exescoot 
me  some  mo' !  I'se  feelin'  tol'ble  lively  fer  a  cawpse, 
I  is !'  An'  wid  dat  he  fotched  anu'rr  whoop  an'  dove 
down  de  bank  inter  water,  haid  fo'most,  an'  lef  'em  dar 
fair  foamin'  at  de  mouf.  An'  I  reckon  we  better  be 
hurryin'  'long  li'l  faster'n  we  has  bin,  er  'Liza  she  be 
foamin'  at  de  mouf,  too,  'kase  you  done  kep'  de  dinner 
waitin'.     Cooks  is  mighty  tetchy  'bout  dat." 


128 


WHY  THE  FLOUXDER  IS  FLAT 


The  children's  mother  returned  the  next  morning, 
■with  Aunt  IsTancy,  and  the  latter  greeted  her  little 
charges  with  much  hugging  and  many  warm  words  of 
affection.  "Come  yer,  my  honey-buds,  my  sugar  lumps, 
my  apple-dumplin's,  come  yer  ter  yo'  ol'  Aunt  Nancy  an' 
gimme  a  good,  tight  hug !  Bless  my  soul,  dese  yer  de 
sweetes'  things  I  seed  sence  I  bin  gone.  Bless  dis  baby's 
heart,  I  ain'  seed  no  sech  yaller  curls  ez  dem,  dat  I  ain' ! 
Gimme  nu'rr  hug !  Um-umph !  I  dunno  w'at  de  ol' 
ooman  gwine  do  w'en  dese  chillen  go  off  an'  leaye  her. 
'Spec'  she  hatter  foller  'long  wid  'em.  Come  yer  ag'in 
an'  lemme  see  ef  dat  'Phrony  bin  keepin'  y'all  good  an' 
clean." 

All  day  she  kept  them  on  their  best  behavior  by  telling 
them  that  she  had  heard  two  new  stories  while  she  was 
away,  which  she  proposed  to  tell  them  that  evening  if 
the}'  had  been  good  enough  to  deserve  it. 

That  night  when  she  was  putting  them  to  bed  they 
inquired  anxiously  if  their  conduct  had  been  all  that 
she  could  desire,  and  if  the  stories  were  to  be  forthcom- 
ing. Janey,  by  way  of  a  clincher,  informed  her  that 
Aunt  'Phrony  had  been  telling  them  stories  every  night, 
"and  sometimes  in  the  day-time,  too." 

Aunt  Xancy  appeared  to  pay  no  attention  to  this,  but 
it  nevertheless  had  the  desired  effect  of  hastening  the 
story-telling. 

129 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

"Dese  tales/'  she  said,  "I  yearn  f  um  a  tide-water 
nigger;  one  whar  live  in  ol'  Gloiicaster,  by  de  salt 
water,  all  liis  life.  Dat  hiiccome  one'r  de  tales  is  'bout 
fishes,  an'  mo'  'special  w'y  de  flounder  is  flat.  You 
know  nios'  er  de  fishes  jes'  stan's  up  on  der  narrer 
aidges  an'  cuts  thu  de  water  dat-a-way,  but  de  flounders 
dey  lays  flat  'cross  de  water  an'  goes  flounderin'  'long, 
so-fashion.  Dey  sut'n'y  is  curisome  creeturs,  'cordin' 
ter  w'at  dat  man  tol'  me.  He  say  dar  haids  look  jes' 
lak  dey  wuz  all  wrench'  roun'  ter  one  side,  wid  de  two 
eyes  growin'  on  one  side,  stidder  bofe,  de  way  'tis  wid 
mos'  fishes,  an'  der  moufs  look  lak  dey  growed  crooked, 
too.  An'  stidder  bein'  de  same  color  on  bofe  sides,  dey're 
white  beneaf  an'  dark  on  top,  jes'  de  color  er  de  mud 
banks  dey  lays  on  at  de  bottom  er  de  water.  Bein'  ez 
dey  lays  low  dat-a-way  dey  ain'  hatter  watch  out  beneaf 
'em,  jes'  hatter  keep  on  de  lookout  fer  sump'n  up  above 
'em,  an'  so  dem  eyes  on  de  top  side  jes'  suit  'em  pre- 
zackty. 

"Well,  dat  Gloucester  man  he  sav  dat  onct  dar  wuz 
noration  sont  out  thu  all  de  rivers  an'  de  Gre't  Bav — 
dat  mean  de  Chisapeake — dat  de  fishes  mus'  meet  to- 
ge'rr  an'  choose  'em  a  king  whar  wuz  ter  be  King  of  all 
de  Fishes.  De  big  fish  ac'  mighty  uppitty  w'en  dey 
year  dis.  Dey  snort  an'  flap  der  tails  an'  jump  outen 
de  water  an'  say :  *^Umph !  leave  dat  ter  de  small  fry, 
we-all  is  kings  a'raidy.  Folks  dat  kin  do  ez  dey  please, 
an'  go  whar  dey  please  an'  ketch  an'  eat  up  de  .li'l  fish 
w'en  dey  please,  an'  ain'  k3^are  whe'rr  de  wind  blow  er 
de  sun  shine,  an'  kin  swim  slow  er  swim  fas'  an'  ride 
on  de  big  waves  out  inter  de  deej)  waters ;  w'}^,  dem  folks 
is  sho'-'nuff  kings  an'  ain'  got  no  use  fer  jes'  de  name 

130 


WHY    THE    FLOUNDEE    IS    FLAT 

uv  hit.  ^Deed  dem  is  de  on'ies  kings  w'at  dey  is ;  tu'rr 
kin^  is  jest  de  sarvants  er  de  people.  ^Scuse  we-all  f  um 
sech  ez  dat.  Let  de  small  fry  choose  a  king  fer  deyse'fs, 
ef  dey  wanster.  I  boun'  you  dis  marter  gwine  stir  up 
a  big  mess  'mongs'  ^em  an'  keep  'em  'sputin'  fer  a  mont' 
er  Sundays.' 

"So  de  small  fry  met  toge'rr^  down  ter  de  las'  li'l 
minner,  an'  dev  comed  f'um  fur  an'  f'um  near,  f'um 
ev'y  li'l  river  dat  run  inter  de  Gre't  Bay,  an'  f'um  ev'y 
part  er  de  bay  hitse'f,  an'  f'um  de  deep  \yater  an'  f'um 
de  slialler,  an'  dey  comed  roundin'  de  p'int  in  shoals  an' 
shoals,  so  many  dat  you  cu'd  sca'cely  see  de  water  fer  de 
fishes,  an'  dey  sailed  on  up  inter  Mob  Jack  Bay  whar 
de  meetin'  wuz  ter  be.  I  tell  you  dat  mus'  'a  bin  a 
gre't  sight.  An'  ez  dey  swim  'long  der  fins  made  sech  a 
noise  cuttin'  thu  de  water,  'kase  dar  wuz  so  many  uv  'em, 
dat  hit  soun'  lak  de  sides  uv  a  monst'ous  big  ship  cuttin' 
an'  swishin'  thu  de  water. 

"Wen  dey  wuz  all  ga'rrd  toge'rr  you  nuver  year  no 
sech  a  splashin'  an'  dashin'  in  all  yo'  bawn  days.  Dey 
dart  3^er  an'  dar  an'  back  an'  fo'th  an'  up  an'  down,  an' 
dey  talk  an'  dey  talk  an  dey  talk,  but  dey  kain't  seem  ter 
mek  up  der  min's,  'kase  de  trufe  wuz  dat  ev'y  las'  man 
er  de  lot  thought  he  orter  be  king.  Th'ee  er  f o'  'ud  putt 
der  haids  toge'rr  an'  whusper  an'  say,  ^Well,  suh,  who 
you  think  gwine  be  made  de  king  ?'  ^Who  is  yo'  chyce  fer 
de  place  ?'  ^N"ow  what  you  think  'bout  dat  feller  so-an'- 
so?  I  kin  see  he's  atter  de  job,  dat's  plain  ez  a  pike- 
staff, but  I  bin  knowin'  him  uver  sence  he  wuz  a  minner ; 
'deed  we  wuz  bawnded  an'  brunged  up  in  de  same 
shaller,  an'  I  kain't  see  nuttin'  to  'im.  I  be  boun'  ef  I 
gwine  gin  my  vote  ter  no  sech  a  numbskull  ez  dat.' 

131 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

'^W'en  dev  ax  one  nu'rr  ^Wlio  is  yo'  chyce?'  eacli  im 
^em  'spec'  ter  year  tii'rr  say,  'WV,  you,  suh,  you  is  de 
ve'y  man  ter  suit  de  place.'  But  each  fish  want  de 
place  fer  hisse'f,  so  dey  jes'  shake  der  haids  an'  say: 
'Dunno!  dunno  nuttin'  't  all  'bout  hit.  Dese  things 
mighty  hard  ter  fin'  out.  You  nuver  kin  tell  who  gwine 
come  out  on  top.' 

'^Las/  li'l  AMiite  Perch  git  kind  er  tired  foolin'  roun' 
so  long,  an'  he  tell  'em  he  gotter  be  swimmin'  'long 
to'des  home,  fer  he  live  over  on  do  Eastern  Sho'  an' 
mus'  git  dar  fo'  dark,  'kase  he  say  dar  wuz  ev'y  chanct 
in  de  worl'  dat  he  git  nipped  up  by  some  er  de  big  fish 
ef  he  travel  atter  sundown.  So  he  'low :  'Gemmen,  I'se 
a  numble  an'  onignoran'  man  an'  may  irrepresent  my- 
se'f,  but  sence  none  er  you  speak  out  in  de  meetin',  I 
ffwine  do  hit  mvse'f.  I  name  to  vou  my  fren'  Mistah 
Billv-fish.  He  de  bes'  man  I  knows  fer  ter  teck  dis 
place  whar  seem  ter  be  gwine  baiggin'  'mongs'  y'all. 
Le's  we  mek  him  king  an'  gin  him  de  name  er  King 
Billy.' 

"Dar  wuz  gre't  'miration  all  tliu  de  meetin'  over  dat 
talk  er  White  Perch.  Sech  a  whus.perin'  an'  confabbin' 
an'  haid-shakin',  you  nuver  see  de  beat ;  an'  dey  waggled 
der  fins  an'  der  tails  an'  bio  wed  water  thu  der  gills 
'twel  Mob  Jack  Bay  wuz  all  uv  a  foam.  But  dey  wuz 
all  so  sot  on  bein'  king  dat  nob'dy  speak  up  an'  name 
any  urr  fish.  Den  dey  kep'  still  a  w'ile  an'  thought 
over  de  marter,  'kase  dey  hate  might'ly  ter  gin  up  de 
notion  er  bein'  king  derse'fs,  but  dey  seed  de  time  wuz 
gwine  by  an'  nuttin'  done,  so  dey  'gree  at  las'  an'  mek 
Billy-fish  king,  an'  all  crowd  roun'  an'  pass  de  time  er 


132 


WHY    THE    FLOUXDER    IS    FLAT 

day  wid  ^im  an'  call  'im  "^King  Billy/  An'  he  ^Yuz  de 
king  in  dcm  waters  fer  'ears  an'  'ears-,  an'  he  have  a  big 
fambly  er  chillen,  an'  ter  dis  day  you  kin  fin'  lots  er  his 
folks  in  de  Gre't  Bay  an'  in  all  de  li'l  bays  an'  rivers. 

"De  Flounder  done  corned  ter  de  meetin'  feelin'  sho' 
de  people  gwine  teck  him  fer  king,  an'  w'en  he  year 
'em  callin'  Billy-fish  ^King  Billy,'  he  wuz  dat  mad  he 
turnt  raid  in  de  gills.  "^Mis'able  li'l  Billy-fish !'  sezee ; 
^ter  think  er  dat  creetur  bein'  made  king  w'en  he  dunno 
'nuff  ter  teck  good  kyare  uv  hisse'f,  let  'lone  lookin' 
atter  urr  folks.  An'  ver  me  whar  know  mo'n  he  uver 
gwine  fergit,  an'  dey  done  pass  me  over  same'z  I  ain' 
bin  yer.  I  ain'  gwine  be  boss'  by  no  li'l  ol'  no-k3^ount 
billy-fish ;  now  you  year  me  talkin' !  Not  much  bigger'n 
a  minner !  Him  ter  have^de  say  er  me?  Xaw,  sub,  not 
w'ile  my  name's  Floppy  Flounder !' 

"AVid  dat  he  gin  his  haid  a  toss  ter  one  side  an'  puffed 
out  his  gills  an'  said  ^Sho-o-o !'  an'  lo  beholst  you,  he 
gin  his  haid  sech  a  pow'ful  ju'k  dat  hit  jes'  stayed  ter 
one  side  an'  he  ain'  nuver  bin  able  ter  git  hit  back 
ag'in ;  so  he  hatter  go  swimmin'  'long  wid  de  fiat  side  up. 

"W'en  tu'rr  fish  see  dat,  dey  think  he  jes'  doin'  hit 
'kase  he  mad,  an'  dey  ses  ter  one  nu'rr :  'Hi !  ol'  Floppy 
Flounder  gittin'  mighty  biggity,  gwine  roun'  yer  wid 
his  haid  all  r'ared  ter  one  side,  jes'  'kase  we-all  ain' 
mek  him  king.  I  boun'  his  ol'  neck  git  tired  an'  he  be 
glad  ter  turn  hit  ])ack  'fo'  long.' 

"But  pres'n'y  dey  fin'  out  he  kain't  git  hit  back  no- 
hows,  an'  den  dey  felt  saw'y  fer  him  an'  tried  ter  he'p 
him  turn  hit  'roun',  but  'twan't  no  use,  she'z  dar  ter 
stay ;  an'  so  de  po'  creetur  bin  gwine  roun'  dat  way  uver 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

sence,  an'  people  year  iiv  him  fur  an'  wide,  an'  w'en  dey 
wanter  say  anytliing's  flat  dey  say  hit's  *^flat  ez  a 
flounder.' 

"  Tears  ter  me/'  the  old  woman  added,  with  a  mean- 
ing glance  at  Janey,  "  'pears  ter  me  I  done  seed  a  li'l 
gal  tossin'  her  haid  at  her  mammy  dis  ve'y  day,  an'  I 
ses  ter  myse'f,  den  an'  dar,  dat  I  gwine  tell  her  de  tale 
er  de  Flonnder,  so's't  she  know  w'at  mought  happen 
ef  she  keep  dat  up.  Chillen's  haids  ain'  stuck  on  no 
closeter  dan  fishes'  haids,  I  reckon ;  so  dey  bes'  be  kyar- 
ful  w'at  dey  does  wid  'em." 


134 


BEOTHER  SQUIREEL  AND  MOLLY  HARE 


Ci^ 


Xow,  den/^  said  Aunt  ^N'ancy,  when  she  had  finished 
the  story  of  the  Flounder,  "I  reckon  y'all  done  had  ^nuff 
f er  dis  night,  isn^  you  T^ 

"Xo,  we  liaven't/'  said  jSTed,  with  an  injured  air. 
"You  said  you'd  tell  two  to-night  if  we  were  good ;  and 
so  I  didn't  do  lots  of  things  I  wanted  to,  and  I  was 
careful  about  getting  over  the  fences  and  only  snagged 
my  trousers  once,  just  a  teenty  little  hole." 

"And  I  only  took  one  piece  of  pie  for  dinner;  I  said 
^Xo,  thank  you,'  when  they  offered  me  another,  but  I 
wanted  it  all  the  time,"  said  Janey,  "and  there  were 
lots  of  things  I  could  have  done  if  I  hadn't  been  trying 
to  behave,  and  I'll  go  and  do  'em  to-morrow  if  3'ou  don't 
do  what  you  said  you  would." 

The  old  woman  looked  at  Janey  over  her  huge,  brass- 
rimmed  spectacles  with  as  severe  an  expression  as  her 
good-natured  face  could  assume. 

"Well,  I  ain'  de  one  gwine  be  hurt  by  yo'  nortiness," 
she  said,  ^T3ut  ef  I  done  promuss  you  two  tales,  den  I 
gwine  gin  you  two,  'kase  I  ain'  gwine  back  on  my  wu'd, 
even  w'en  chillen  ac's  kind  er  uppish  wid  me  an'  gits 
ter  talkin'  onmannerly.  Dis  tale  is  'bout  Brer  Squ'l 
an'  Mis'  Molly  Hyar',  an'  hit  wuz  telled  ter  me  by  de 
same  man  whar  tell  me  'bout  de  Flounder  an'  tu'rr 
fishes. 

135 


AT    THE    Bia    HOUSE 

"He  say  dat  in  de  ol'^  ol'  times,  Mis'  Moll}^  Hyar' 
iiseter  wunner  w'y  *twuz  w'eii  her  an'  Brer  Squ'l  look  so 
much  hik  one  niv'rr,  dat  he  live  up  in  a  tree  an'  she  live 
down  on  de  groun'.  ^I'se  ev'y  bit  ez  good  ez  he  is/  she  say 
ter  hnsse'f.  '^I  'spose  he  feel  mighty  biggitty  'kase  he  live 
"up  dar  in  de  tree,  an'  I  reckon  he  kind  er  look  down  on 
gronn'-walkers  lak  me.  But  I  boun'  you  I  gwine  teck 
him  down  a  peg  er  two  nex'  time  I  see  'im.  Mis'able 
li'l  skeezicks !  So  proud  er  dat  bushy  tail  dat  he  all 
time  r'arin'  hit  up  clean  over  his  haid  so's't  folks  kin 
see  hit.'  She  talk  dat-a-way  'kase  she  right  tetchy  'bout 
her  own  tail  whar  got  nipt  off  shawt  one'r  dem  times 
w'en  she  wuz  up  ter  some  uv  her  'havishness. 

"Las',  one  da}',  she  met  up  wid  'im  at  de  foot  uv  a 
tree.  He  wuz  settin'  up  gnorrin'  a  nut  an'  turnin'  hit 
roun'  an'  roun'  in  his  li'l  paws.  She  stop'  an'  squat 
down  on  her  ha'nches  an'  pass  de  time  er  day  wid  "im. 
^Howdy,  Brer  Squ'l/  she  say,  an'  he  stop'  gnorrin'  an' 
hilt  de  nut  in  one  li'l  paw  an'  'spon',  ^^Howd}',  ma'am, 
howdy,'  'kase  he  wuz  a  mighty  mannerly  li'l  feller  an' 
oon  go  on  eatin'  w'iles  dar  wuz  a  lady  roun'. 

"Den,  he  say :  ^Mis'  Molly,  won't  you  please,  ma'am, 
come  up  ter  my  house  in  de  tree  an'  mek  yo'se'f  comf  "ble 
an'  at  home?  I  be  proud  ter  see  you  in  my  house, 
ma'am.' 

"  ^N'aw,  thanky,  suh,'  sez  she ;  '^I  come  a  right  fur 
ways  to-day,  an'  I  ain'  feel  ekal  ter  de  climbin' ;  ain'  ez 
young  ez  I  onct  wuz.  Brer  Squ'l.'  She  talk  dat-a-Way 
'kase  she  ain'  wanter  let  on  dat  she  wan't  use  ter  climbin' 
trees. 

"Pres'n'y  she  say,  sort  er  sniffin'  an'  turnin'  up  her 
nose  all  de  time  she  talkin':     'Brer  Squ'l,  you  an'  me 

136 


BEOTHER  SQUIEREL  AXD  MOLLY  HAEE 

sut'n'y  look  sump'n  lak  one  nu'rr,  but  seem  ter  me  hit's 
oiry  skin  deep;  we  ain'  ac'  nuttin'  't  all  de  same.  You 
eats  nuts  an'  I  eats  o:yardin-truck ;  you  liyes  in  a  hole 
in  de  tree,  an'  I  liyes  in  a  hole  in  de  groun' ;  an'  I 
reckon  I  kin  do  a  heap  er  tilings  you  kain't  do.  'Pears 
ter  me  'bout  de  on'ies'  thing  you  kin  do  is  ter  run  up 
a  tree.' 

^'Brer  Squ'l  he  drap  de  nut  an'  hang  bote  paws,  kind 
er  meek  an'  numl^le,  an'  he  say,  sezee :  Tur  be  hit  f'um 
me  ter  say  dat  I  is  de  ekal  uy  a  nice  lady  lak  Mis' 
]\Iolly  Hyar'.  But  please,  ma'am,  ter  show  me  some  er 
de  things  you  kin  do,  'kase  I  done  year  tell  dat  you  is 
a  monst'ous  spry  ooman.' 

"Molly  she  snigger  at  dat  an'  say :  ^G'long  'way  f'um 
yer.  Brer  Squ'l,  w'at  you  wanter  bamboozle  a  po'  ooman 
fer,  wid  yo'  flattersome  wu'ds?  You  men-folks  orter 
be  'shame'  er  yo'se'f ;  'deed  you  ort.' 

"Squ'l  he  say,  sezee :  ^Wellum,  you  kin  b'lieye  hit  er 
not,  but  I  alluz  means  w'at  I  sez;  an'  de  nabers'll  all 
tell  you  de  same.  I  wuz  bawnded  yer,  las'  'ear,  an' 
brung  up  right  in  dis  tree,  an'  dey  all  knows  me  right 
well.' 

"  '^Well,  ef  you  talkin'  de  trufe,'  sez  she,  sniggerin' 
a2:'in  lak  she  still  feel  kind  er  backwu'ds  'bout  hit,  doush 
all  de  time  she  wuz  jes'  a-honin'  ter  show  husse'f  off; 
Veil,  ef  dat  de  trufe,  den  I  gwine  whu'l  in  an'  show 
you  some  tricks  whar  is  tricks  sho'-'nuff;  hit  teks  me 
ter  do  'em.'  "Wid  dat  she  turnt  husse'f  aloose,  an'  uy 
all  de  gwines-on  you  uyer  see,  dem  tuck  de  lead.  She 
go  kitin'  long  a  piece,  an'  den  all  uy  a  suddint  she 
r'ar  up  on  her  ha'nches  an'  do  lak  she  lissen ;  den  she 
gin  a  monst'ous  jump  an'  go  on,  an'  den  she  hide,  an' 

137 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

den  come  out  ag'in ;  an'  den  she  double  lak  de  dogs  atter 
'er  an'  she  wantcr  git  'way  f  um  'em,  an'  she  dat  spr}^ 
an'  soople  seem  lak  she  do  all  dem  tricks  widout  half 
tryin'. 

"Brer  Squ'l  he  monst'ous  p'lite,  an'  he  watch  her 
clost  an'  pay  good  'tention  an'  wuz  mighty  please'  wid 
ev'ything.  He  clap  his  li'l  paws  an'  say:  '^Good  fer 
you,  Mis'  Molly  Hyar  !  You  sut'n'y  is  a  sho'-'nuff 
jumper!  I  boun'  dar  ain'  nair'  dog  in  dese  parts  kin 
run  you  down,  Mis'  Molly.' 

"She  say:  '^Oh  shucks!  dis  ain'  nuttin'  'tall.  Wait 
'twel  I  show  you  w'at's  w'at.'-  An'  wid  dat  she  'mence 
all  oyer  ag'in  an'  putt  in  all  de  extry  licks  she  cu'd  think 
uy,  scootin'  in  an'  out  'mongs'  de  trees  an'  de  bushes  so 
fas'  dat  you  cu'dden  see  no  laigs  ner  feet,  jes'  look  lak 
a  wad  er  fur  dat  wuz  bein'  chunked  roun'  fer  fun. 

"Las',  Squ"l  lie  'feard  she  gwine  tire  husse'f  all  out, 
'kase  he  wuz  a  kin'-hearted  li'l  feller,  an'  he  say,  sezee, 
'Thanky,  Mis'  Molly,  thanky,  ma'am.  I  much  'blees^ed 
ter  you  fer  showin'  me  yo'  tricks,  an'  I  owns  up  dat  I 
kain't  do  one  un  'em.  But  niebbe,  ma'am,  you  lak  ter 
see  me  run  up  a  tree;  fer  you  done  tol'  de  trufe  w'en 
you  ses  dat's  'bout  all  I  kin  do.' 

"But,  bless  yo'  soul,  he  kin  do  heap  mo'n  dat,  on'y 
he  wuz  one'r  dese  jqv  modes'  mens  whar  thinks  mo'  uv 
urr  folks'  doin's  dan  dey  does  uy  der  own,  but  I  let  you 
know  dat  lots  er  times  dey  kin  do  mo'  dan  de  peoples 
whar  meks  sech  'miration  oyer  derse'fs. 

"He  kite  up  de  tall  tree  same'z  ef  he  wuz  runnin'  on 
de  groun',  an'  w'en  he  git  dar  he  do  all  sawts  er  things. 
He  pick  nuts  an'  swing  back  an'  fo'th  on  de  een'  uv  a 
limb,  an'  jump  f'um  one  tree  to  anu'rr  widout  losin' 

138 


BRER    SQr'L    CLAP    Ulli    Ll'[,    I'AWS 


BROTHER  SQUIRREL  AXD  MOLLY  HARE 

his  baluns  er  fallin'  onct.  Den  he  spread  out  his  fo' 
laigs  wide  ez  he  kin  an'  jump  f  um  de  highes'  limb 
clean  to  the  groun'  widout  hurtin'  him  't  all,  an'  wuz  up 
de  tree  ag'in  befo'  Mis'  Molly  cu'd  wink  her  eyeleds. 
Nex',  he  run  down  de  tree  haid  fo'most,  Jes'  ez  easy  ez 
he  run  up.  Den  back  ag'in  ter  swing  some  mo'  an' 
hang  on  by  one  paw  an'  turn  a  somerset  on  de-  limb,  an' 
a  hull  passel  uv  urr  tricks. 

"Mis'  Hyar'  she  wan't  so  pleasan'  an'  p'lite  ez  Brer 
Squ'i  bin.  She  ain'  say  nuttin'  nice  'bout  his  tricks,  jes' 
set  down  dar  below,  squatulatin'  wid  'im  an'  rollin'  her 
eyes  up  an'  wringin'  her  paws  an'  sayin'  over  an'  over 
ag'in :  "^Brer  Squ'l  don'  min',  he  kill  hisse'f !  Brer 
Squ'l  don'  min',  he  kill  hisse'f!  Gwine  fall  ker-smack 
down  an'  snag  hisse'f  on  dis  stump !  Please,  suh,  ter 
stop !  hit  gin  me  de  flirtation  er  de  heart  ter  see  you  do 
dat-a-way !  I  gwine  go  right  'long  home  dis  minnit  ef 
you  don'  quit  dem  gwines-on  an'  come  down  f'um  dar.' 
She  go  on  lak  dat  'kase  she  ain'  got  sense  'nuff  ter 
know  he  wuz  jes'  ez  much  at  home  up  dar  ez  w'at  she 
wuz  on  de  groun',  an'  dat  his  tricks  wuz  jes'  ez  natchel 
an'  easy  fer  him  ez  w'at  hern  wuz  fer  her.  De  trouble 
wid  her  wuz  she  think  she  know  hit  all. 

"Pres'n'y  Mis'  Jinny  Wren,  whar  live  up  in  de  same 
tree  an'  wuz  gre't  fren's  wid  Brer  Squ'l,  she  git  tired  er 
lis'nin'  at  Mis'  Hyar's  foolishness,  an'  she  say  ter  hus- 
se'f,  she  do,  '^I  gwine  mek  up  a  song  'bout  dat  fool  ooman 
an'  sing  hit  out  good  an'  loud,  so's't  she'll  know  some- 
b'dy  else  year  her  gwines-on  sidesen  dat  nice  li'l  Brer 
Squ'l  whar  don'  'spicion  nob'dy.  I  'low  hit  teck  one 
ooman  ter  see  daylight  thu  anu'rr.  Dese  mens  don' 
seem  ter  be  up  ter  de  bizness.' 

139 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

"Wid  dat  she  cle'rd  her  th'oat  a  li'l  an'  sung  a  note 
er  two  ter  git  de  pitch;,  an'  den  she  stick  her  haid  outen 
a  hole  in  de  tree  an'  sing  out  loud  'z  she  kin, 

'Squ'l  he  jump  fum  limh  ter  limh, 
OV  Hyar  sot  an    looh  at  him; 
OV  Hyar   say  onto  husse'f, 
Dat  Squl  don   min   he  lall  hisse'f. 


>  }> 


"And  what  did  Molly  Hare  do  then  ?"  asked  Xed. 

"Law,  honey,  she  wuz  dat  mad  at  bein'  overyearn  by 
nu'rr  ooman  dat  she  jes'  ga'rrd  husse'f  toge'rr  an'  lit 
out  fer  home,  same  'z  I  gotter  do  dis  ve'y  minnit  er  my 
oF  man  be  sendin'  one'r  de  gran'chillen  ter  fin'  mc. 
Y'all  better  putt  dem  haids  clean  down  on  de  pillers, 
fer  y'ain'  gwine  year  nu'rr  wu'd  outen  my  mouf  dis 
night/^ 

Here  she  discovered  that  little  Kit  had  fallen  fast 
asleep  with  his  arms  over  his  head,  and  she  stopped  to 
lay  them  down,  muttering  to  herself  "Um-umph !  jes' 
look  at  dat  chil'  wid  his  arms  over  his  haid.  Good  tiling 
I  seed  'im.  He  mought  er  stayed  dat-a-way  all  night, 
an'  den  de  goodness  on'y  knows  w'at  moughter  hap- 
pened to  'im,  'kase  any  pusson  dat  sleeps  wid  his  arms 
over  his  head  is  jes'  callin'  down  bad  luck  on  hisse'f 
ev'y  minnit  er  de  time.  Luck  is  sech  a  skittish  sort  e:* 
thing  dat  I  don'  b'lieve  in  foolin'  wid  hit  ner  teckin'  any 
resks.  Some  folks  ain'  b'lieve  in  signs,  but  I  bin 
watchin'  'em  all  my  life,  an'  seed  so  m_any  un  'em  come 
true  dat  I  gwine  be  on  de  safe  side,  fer  ef  dcy  don'  come 
true  'bout  one  thing  dey  boun'  come  true  'bout  nu'rr. 


140 


^^ 


MR.  HARE  AXD  MR.  FLIXT  ROCK 

One  evening  the  children  heard  the  sound  of  a  banjo 
in  the  cook-house  and  begged  to  be  allowed  to  go  out 
again  and  listen. 

"Well,  I  declare,"  said  their  mother,  "yon  children 
are  getting  so  you  don't  care  about  being  with  white 
folks  at  all :  your  mother  has  to  play  second  fiddle  these 
days.  I  don't  know  what  she  is  going  to  do  for  some  lit- 
tle children  to  love  her  if  it  keeps  up  like  this." 

Kit  ran  to  her,  and,  throwing  his  little  arms  about 
her,  gave  her  a  good  hug,  as  if  to  reassure  her,  and  Ned 
said  they  would  have  to  make  the  most  of  their  time, 
as  they  would  presently  go  back  home  where  there  would 
be  no  negroes  and  no  stories,  when  he  and  the  other  two 
would  try  to  "'make  it  up  to  her." 

"Very  well,"  said  their  mother,  "since  you  are  going 
to  make  it  up  to  me,  I  suppose  I  shall  have  to  let  you 
go,  but  you  must  promise  not  to  stay  late." 

They  "found  Tim,  the  plow-boy,  playing  and  singing 
for  the  benefit  of  the  assembled  company,  among  whom 
was  Aunt  Xancy's  granddaughter,  Cassy.  She  had  been 
off  that  dav  to  the  nearest  countrv  store  to  trade,  carrv- 
ing  what  she  called  a  "haid-turn" ;  a  haid-turn  being  a 
small  amount  of  produce,  as  much  as  could  easily  be 
carried  on  the  head,  which  was  to  be  exchanged  for 
groceries  or  dry  goods.     Cassy  was  still  decked  out  in 

141 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

her  best  dress  of  black  and  yellow  calico  with  a  marvel- 
ous garnishing  of  flying  red  ribbons.  It  seemed  as  if 
Tim's  song  was  especially  addressed  to  the  young  lady, 
for,  as  he  "picked"  industriously  and  threw  his  head 
back  and  opened  his  mouth  to  its  fullest  extent,  he  kept 
his  eyes  steadily  on  her  face,  as  if  to  note  the  effect  of 
his  song. 

li'l  'liza  jane. 


a 


I  got  a  house  in  Baltimo\ 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane; 
Po'cli  behime  an'  po'cji  hefo\ 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane. 

I  got  a  huggy  an'  a  hoss, 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane; 
Come  'long,  honey,  an'  he  der  boss, 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane. 

I  got  a  house  an  a  track  er  Ian', 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane; 
Shake  yo'  foot  an  clap  yo'  han  , 
.  Li'l  'Liza  Jane. 

Come,  my  love,  an  go  wid  me, 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane; 
An-a  ive  irill  go  ter  Tennessee, 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane. 


Cassy  and  Tim  were  not  an  openly  acknowledged 
"co'tin-couple,"  and  it  was,  therefore,  not  etiquette  for 
her  to  encourage  him  too  obviously,  so  she  tossed  her 

143 


ME.    HAEE    AXD    MR.    FLIXT    ROCK 
head  and  said  that  she  had  not  come  there  to  hear  anv 

ft/ 

"oF  co'tin'-songs/*^  but  in  the  hope  of  listening  to  some 
stories.  Eliza,  the  cook,  as  usual,  took  the  part  of  the 
gentlemen.  Said  she,  "Gal,  de  white  folks  cu'd  git  'long 
widout  butter  on  der  bread,  but  dey  ain'  wanter,  an' 
we-all  cu'd  git  'long  widout  songs,  but  we  ain'  wanter. 
You  s'pose  yo'  'pinion  gr^'ine  mek  any  diff'ns  ter  Tim? 
Sho  I  g'way,  gal,  mens  got  sump'n  else  ter  study  'bout 
sidesen  w'at  you  does  lak  an'  w'at  you  doesn'  lak.  But 
ef  YOU  rio^ht  sot  on  vearnin'  tales,  mebbe  we  kin  coax 
Sis'  'Phronv  to  favor  the  comp'nv." 

Aunt  'Phrony  said  that  she  might  be  able  to  remember 
something  if  they  would  give  her  a  little  time  in  which 
to  think  it  up,  and  Janey  begged  that  it  might  be  some- 
thinoj  about  the  much  admired  "01'  Hvar'." 

"Xow,  den,"  said  the  story-teller  presently,  "ef  you 
wanter  year  'bout  oF  man  Hyar',  I  reckon  I  mought  ez 
well  tell  you  'bout  de  time  he  met  up  wid  Flint  Rock, 
'kase  I  kain't  'member  dat  I  has  uver  tol'  you  dat  befo'. 

"One  time  Hyar'  he  year  dat  de  creeturs  wuz  gwine 
have  a  big  darnse,  an'  noration  bin  sont  roun'  dat  de 
queschin  wuz  ter  be  'cided  w'ich  un  'em  have  de  fines' 
dress,  an'  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  he  do,  'Umph  I  I  gotter  have 
a  han'  in  dis  thing,  sho'.  Dey  kain't  run  dat  'sputation 
lessen  I'se  dar  ter  he'p  'em  out.  I  ain'  bin  lopin'  roun' 
de  kyountry  all  dese  'ears  fer  nuttin',  neener;  I  boun' 
you  I  gwine  be  ez  well  dress'  ez  de  nex'  un.' 

"So  he  tuck  an'  primp  hisse'f  up  ter  look  ez  harnsum 
ez  he  kin,  an'  set  off  fer  de  darnse,  an'  he  had  hit  in  min' 
dat  ef  he  run  'cross  any  creetur  on  de  way  whar  have  a 
finer  suit  er  clo'es  dan  his,  he  gwine  light  in  an'  git  hit 
'way  ef  he  kin. 

143 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

"He  go  clippin'  'long  thu  de  kyountry,  jes'  ez  full  er 
mischief  cz  a  aig  is  er  meat,  an'  w'en  he  kain't  fine  nut- 
tin'  else  ter  do  he  tromple  on  ev'y  po'  li'l  bug  an'  wu'm  he 
see  an'  switch  de  haids  offen  all  de  flow's  ez  he  pass.  He 
trabel  an'  he  trabel  an'  he  trabel,  an'  las'  de  night  come 
down  an'  ketched  him  a  fur  ways  f'um  de  place  whar  de 
darnse  wuz  gwine  be  hilt,  so  he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  bein' 
ez  dat  wuz  a  strange  kyountry  an'  he  dunno  de  way 
ve'y  well,  he  bes'  camp  out  fer  de  night. 

"  'Bout  dat  time  he  met  up  wid  Flint  Eock,  a  gre't  big 
ol'  man  wid  gray  hya'r,  settin'  down  by  de  side  uv  de 
road.  He  wuz  so  ol'  dat  de  moss  wuz  growin'  on  his  back, 
an'  he  wuz  so  full  er  rheumatiz  f'um  settin'  out  in  de 
damp  dat  he  kain't  move  fu'm  one  spot  lessen  some  one 
come  'long  an'  gin  him  a  shove.  He  wuz  a  mighty  sol- 
lumcholly  an'  sev'yur  lookin'  ol'  man,  but  co'se  Hyar'  he 
wan't  faze'  by  dat,  so  he  walk  right  up  in  front  uv  him 
an'  stan'  wid  his  ban's  in  his  pockits  an'  say,  *^Howdy, 
Mistah  Flint  Eock;  how  does  yo'  bones  seem  ter  stan' 
de  rackit  dese  days  ?' 

"Flint  Eock  he  'spon',  'Howdy,  Mistah  Hyar'— I 
b'lieve  dats  you,  ef  I  ain'  mek  no  mistake.  But  I  ain' 
'zackly  sho',  'kase  my  eyesight  done  fail  me  right  much 
de  las'  'ear  er  so.  How  does  I  fin'  mvse'f?  Miditv 
po'ly,  suh,  mighty  po'ly.  Ef  you'd  bin  settin'  out  yer 
in  de  sun  an'  de  rain  an'  de  wind  an'  de  wedder,  in  de  fog 
an'  in  de  damp  ez  manv  'ears  ez  w'at  I  is  vou  be  chock- 
full  er  rheumatiz,  too.  Yit  I  ain'  complainin',  an'  I 
mek  out  ter  enj'y  myse'f  yit.  Wen  I  wuz  younger  an' 
went  rollin'  thu  dis  onfren'ly  worl'  I  had  a  heap  er  fun 
an'  seed  a  lot  er  sights,  but  now  I  done  sottle  down  yer, 
an'  yer  I  stay,  an'  things  is  kind  er  good  ter  de  ol'  man, 

144 


MR.    HAEE    AXD    MR.    FLIXT    ROCK 

atter  all.  De  li'l  vouns:  orpeen  thinofs,  ferns  an'  sech, 
dey  creeps  up  clost  ter  mv  footses  an'  stays  dar,  an'  de 
lizzu'ds  dey  comes  out  an'  lavs  down  on  mv  back  ter 
wo'm  derse'fs  in  de  sun,  an'  de  li'l  bu'ds  dey  lights  on 
me  now  an'  den  an'  stays  'long  'nuil  ter  say  ^howdy.'  I 
jes'  wall  my  eye  up  at  de  sun  ez  I  set  yer,  an'  he  blink 
down  at  me  right  fren'ly  an'  wo'm  up  m}'  back  so's  de 
niis'ry  mos'  qitit  me.  De  mosses  dey  is  tryin'  ter  kiver 
me  up  so's't  I  kain't  feel  de  col'  wedder  in  my  j'ints. 
Wen  hits  wo'm  de  wind  come  'long  an'  cool  me  oif;, 
an'  de  rain  gin  me  a  washin'  now  an'  den,  an'  lots  er 
de  creeturs  stops  ez  dey  go  by  an'  lays  down  in  de  shade 
er  me  ter  git  cool,  an'  I  pass  de  time  er  day  wid  'em  an' 
git  all  de  news.  I  jes'  set  yer  an'  look  an'  lissen,  an'  I 
see  an'  rear  mo'n  a'Ou  uver  dream  uv  "mono's'  de  bu'ds  an' 
de  beas'eses  an'  de  bugs  an'  de  wu'ms  an'  de  flow's, 
'kase  de  ol'  man  set  yer  so  quiet  dey  think  he  mus'  be 
'sleep,  an'  dey  goes  on  same  'z  ef  I  wan't  roun'.  Yas, 
Mistah  Hj^ar',  I  cu'd  tell  you  heap  ef  I  wanter.' 

"  ^Well,'  sez  de  Hyar,'  sezee,  ''dat  suit  my  time  'zackly, 
'kase  I  wuz  kyountin'  on  spendin'  de  night  wid  you,  suh, 
an'  I  reckon  you  ain'  gwine  kyare  ef  I  build  me  a  li'l 
fire  right  'long  side  er  you,  so's't  I  kin  keep  wo'm.  De 
nights  gittin'  right  chilly.' 

"  ^Bat  dey  is,'  sez  Flint  Rock,  sezee ;  ^I  got  a  crick  in 
my  back  a-raidy.  Goodness  on'y  knows  how  I  gwine  git 
tliu  nu"rr  winter.  I  'spec'  one'r  dese  yer  hard  freezes 
gwine  come  "long  an'  jes'  'bout  break  me  all  up.  I  look 
ter  see  dat  happen.  You  g'long  an'  build  dat  fire  an' 
we  kin  set  an'  talk  an'  me  wo'm  up  my  ol'  bones  at  de 
same  time.' 

"Hyar'  he  build  de  fire,  an'  git  him  a  piece  er  wood, 

145 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

an'  all  de  time  Flint  Rock  wuz  gwine  on  talkin',  Hyar' 
he  wuz  settin'  dar  wu'kkin'  'way  on  de  wood. 

"Las'  Flint  Rock  he  say,  sezee,  ^Mistah  Hyar',  please, 
suh,  ter  'sense  de  cnr'osity  nv  a  ol'  man,  but  mought  I 
ax  w'at  is  dat  you  mekin'  ?' 

"Hyar'  he  say,  ^W'y,  sut'n'y,  suh;  dish  yer's  a  maul 
an'  dis  a  waidge.' 

"Flint  Rock  he  'spon',  ^Yas,  so  'tis,  so  'tis,  I  see  dat 
now.  You  mus'  'sense  me  axin',  'kase  my  sight  so  bad. 
But  mought  I  ax  you,  suh,  w'y  you  mekin'  dat  maul 
an'  dat  waidge  ?' 

"  ^Wy,  suh,'  sez  Hyar',  sezee,  'I'se  a  mighty  in- 
dush'ous  man,  an'  hit  go  'gins'  de  grain  fer  me  ter  set 
an'  hoi'  my  ban's,  so  w'iles  I  lissen  at  you  I  jes'  do  dis 
ter  keep  my  ban'  in  an'  pass  away  de  time.' 

"Pres'n'y  Hyar'  'sense  hisse'f  an'  say  he  mus'  git 
nu'rr  li'l  bit  er  wood,  an'  den  he  go  off  an'  fin'  hisse'f 
a  place  whar  he  kin  hide  w'en  he  wanter.  He  fin'  a 
li'l  kyave,  an'  den  he  walk  back  ter  de  camp,  an'  dar 
wuz  ol'  Flint  Rock,  fas'  asleep  by  de  fire.  Wid  dat  he 
tuck  an'  tuck  de  waidge  an'  putt  hit  at  Flint  Rock's 
year  an'  hit  de  waidge  a  monstrous  clip  wid  de  maul, 
wow !  an'  ol'  Mistah  Flint  Rock  bus'  in  mo'n  a  hunderd 
pieces.  De  pieces  flewed  high  up  an'  'menced  ter  fall 
thu  de  air,  swish !  zish !  zoum !  An'  w'en  he  see  dat, 
Hyar'  lit  out  f'um  dar  an'  hid  hisse'f  in  de  kyave. 

'^  ^Umph !'  sezee  ter  hisse'f,  sezee,  ^I  done  save'  de  ol' 
man  de  trouble  er  waitin'  fer  de  fros'  ter  break  him  up. 
He  orter  thank  me  fer  puttin'  him  outen  his  mis'ry  fo' 
de  real  col'  wedder  come  on,  dat's  de  trufe.'  After  w'ile 
he  say,  ^Lan'  er  libbutty !  dis  slow  wu'k  waitin'  yer  in 
de  dark  fer  ol'  Flint  Rock  ter  git  thu  fallin'.     Wen  I 

146 


o 

o 


'4 

o 


SI 


5H 


•«5 


ME.    HAEE   AXD    ME.    FLIXT   EOCK 

fotched  'im  dat  lick  I  ain'  have  no  notion  he  gwine  fly 
in  li'l  bits  lak  dat,  but  hit  right  hard  ter  tell  w^at  some 
folks  gwine  do  'twel  you  tries  "em.  'Pears  ter  me  he 
orter  be  thu  f allin'  by  now ;  I  gwine  look  out  an'  see.' 

"Wid  dat  he  poke  his  haid  out.  De  las'  piece  wuz 
fallin',  an'  suz  I  ef  you'll  blieve  me,  hit  tuck  ol'  Hvar' 
plumb  on  de  een'  er  de  nose,  and  dat  huccome  he  bin 
gwine  roun'  wid  a  bent  nose  uver  sence,  an'  all  time 
drorin'  hit  up  an'  down  lak  he  'feard  nu'rr  rock  gwine 
teck  him  on  the  een'  uv  hit  mos'  any  minnit.' " 

"WTiy,  Aunt  Xancy  told  us  the  reason  Molly  Hare's 
nose  worked  all  the  time  was  because  she  got  it  frozen," 
Xed  exclaimed. 

"Wat  I  know  'bout  Molly  Hyar'  ?"  said  'Phrony,  with 
scorn  and  some  indignation.  "How  many  mo'  times  is 
I  got'ter  tell  you  I  ain'  know  nuttin'  'bout  no  Molly 
H3'ar?  Dis  de  one  de  Injuns  tell  'bout,  an'  he  ain' 
nuyer  have  no  wife  't  all,  fur  'z  I  know.  I  done  tol'  you 
he  wuz  a  oF  bachelder;  ef  he'd  had  a  wife  ter  keep  'im 
straight  he  oon  bin  in  so  much  mischief." 


147 


ME.  WILDCAT  GOES  TUEKEY-HUXTIXG 


"Landy !"  said  Cassv,  after  the  story  of  old  man  Flint 
Rock,  "ef  dat  H3^ar'  a  in'  beat  all  creashun.  Seem  lak 
he  got  mo'  gumption  dan  all  tu'rr  creeturs  putt  toge'rr. 
Sho !  gimme  a  man  lak  ]\Iistah  Hyar^  ^vhar  got  plenty 
er  git  up  an'  sperit  to  *im."  And  she  tossed  her  head  and 
looked  scornfully  at  Tim. 

"Look  yer,  gal  I"  said  'Liza,  "you  dunno  w'at  you 
talkin'  ^bout.  Ef  you  kin  lay  yo'  han'  on  a  good,  stiddy 
man,  you  better  teck  him  an'  thank  yo'  stars.  Dese  yer 
lively,  gaily  folks  lak  Mistah  Hyar'  does  well  ^nuff  ter 
pass  'way  de  time  wid,  now  an'  den,  l^ut  w'en  hit  comes 
ter  livin'  wid  'em,  dat's  anu'rr  marter.  Sidesen  dat,  dey 
git  kotch  up  wid  ev'y  now  an'  den,  jes'  lak  Sis'  'Phrony 
bin  tellin'  you.  Mistah  Hyar'  wan't  so  smart  but  w'at  he 
git  his  nose  good  an'  smash." 

"Wellum,"  said  Tim,  in  his  slow  drawl,  "I  bin  studyin' 
heap  'bout  de  creeturs,  an'  I  bin  wunnerin'  ef  dey  don' 
none  un  'em  play  dese  yer  tricks  asseptin'  ol'  Hyar'." 

"Bless  yo'  soul,"  answered  'Phrony,  "dey  all  un  'cm 
had  pranks,  mo'  er  less,  some  mo',  some  less.  Xow  dar 
]\Iistah  Sly-fox,  he  kind  er  prankish  sometimes,  an' 
Mistah  Tarr'pin,  too,  an'  I  'members  one  time  w'en 
Mistah  Wil'cat  tucken  hit  in  min'  ter  play  a  trick, 
dough  to  be  sho'  dat  wuz  sort  er  in  de  line  er  bizness, 
w'en  he  wuz  out  fer  de  puppus  er  gittin'  hisse'f  a  din- 


ner." 


148 


MR.  WILDCAT  GOES  TUEKEY-HUXTIXG 

Cooiiie,  the  house-boy,  was  sitting  on  the  hearth,  lean- 
ing against  the  chimney  jamb,  head  thrown  back,  more 
than  half  asleep,  but  at  the  mention  of  dinner  he  sat 
up  and  rubbed  his  eyes  and  asked,  sleepily:  "Dinner? 
Dinner  raidy  ?    Maw,  is  I  year  you  say  dinner  ?" 

"Xaw,  dat  you  ain^,''  said  'Liza.  "I  done  fill  you  up 
wid  vittles  no  mo'n  a  hour  ago,  an'  yer  you  is  axin'  fer 
mo'.  'Pears  lak  I  kain't  keep  you  filled;  you  is  wusser 
dan  any  ol'  wil'cat  dat  uver  tromped  de  woods.  Go 
on.  Sis'  'Phrony,  an'  tell  us  'bout  Mistah  Wil'cat  an' 
his  dinner." 

"I  done  tol'  you  he  wuz  out  fer  de  puppus  er  fillin' 
up,"  ^Phrony  went  on,  "an'  he  wuz  dat  hongry  hit  'pear 
ter  him  he  wan't  nuttin'  but  one  big  holler  f'um  de  top 
uv  his  haid  ter  de  tip  uv  his  tail,  one'r  dese  yer  hollers 
whar.jes'  natchelly  mek  a  man  git  up  an'  hump  hisse'f 
ontwel  hits  filled.  He  go  traipsin'  up  an'  down,  lookin' 
behime  ev'y  bush  an'  up  ev'y  tree  an'  yit  he  kain't  fin' 
nuttin'.  Las'  he  got  so  mad  he  'gun  ter  gnash  his  toofs 
an'  spit  an'  snarl  an'  hump  his  back  up  an'  rub  'gin'  de 
trees,  an'  all  de  time  his  eyes  wuz  shinin'  lak  plumb  balls 
er  fire,  an'  he  wuz  dat  rantankerous  dat  no  pusson  'ud 
want  ter  meet  up  wid  'im. 

"Bout  dat  time  he  seed  a  flock  uv  wil'-tukkies,  an'  he 
'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  tukkey  'ud  jes'  'bout  fit  de  size  er 
his  mouf,  dough  he  ain'  knowin'  how  he  gwine  git  at 
'em.  He  crope  up  an'  he  crope  up,  an'  las'  he  wuz  near 
'nuff  ter  watch  'em.  Dev  wuz  hol'in'  a  darnse,  de 
funnies'  you  uver  see  er  year  tell  'bout.  Der  tails  wuz 
all  spread  out  lak  a  fan  an'  de  gobblers  wuz  all  puff'  up 
an'  struttin'  fit  ter  kill,  w'iles  de  ladiz  wuz  mekin'  gre't 
'miration  over  'em  an'  follerin'  after  'em,  steppin'  high 

149 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

lak  dcy  t\'iiz  trompin'  on  aigs,  an^  gwine  roun'  an'  roim' 
in  a  succle,  lookin'  mighty  proud  an'  kyar'yin'  der  haids 
high  in  de  air  an'  balancin'  wid  der  necks  at  ev'y  step. 

"Wil'cat  grin  so't  he  show  ev'y  toof  in  his  haid^  an' 
he  say  ter  hisse'f,  sezee,  TTm-umph !  some  dem  ladiz 
gwine  laugh  on  de  wrong  side  der  moufs  'fo'  long.  Ef 
dey  on'y  knowed  w'at  comin'  dey'd  quit  dat  foolishness 
an'  use  dem  laigs  ter  git  outen  dis.  Good  thing  fer  me 
dey  is  fools.  I  reckon  I'd  have  mighty  po'  pickin's  ef 
der  wan't  so  many  fool  creeturs  gwine  up  an'  down  de 
face  er  de  yearf .' 

^^De  tukkies  wuz  darnsin'  down  in  a  li'l  holler,  an' 
^Yil'cat  he  crope  roun'  ter  de  top  er  de  hill  an'  tucken 
de  game  bag  whar  he  bringed  wid  'him,  an'  crawled  inter 
hit.  Den  he  turnt  hisse'f  aloose  an'  rolled  over  an'  over 
down  de  hill,  bimpitty,  bumpitty,  bampitty,  bim !  an' 
lan'ed  right  in  de  midse  er  de  tukkies. 

"Dey  wuz  dat  'stonish  dey  ain'  know  w'at  ter  do,  but 
w'en  de  bag  stan'  up  on  een'  an'  'gun  ter  r'ar  an'  charge 
roun',  dem  po'  creeturs  wuz  plumb  stunded,  too  'stracted 
even  ter  run.  No  wunner  dey  wuz  dat-a-way,  fer  uv  all 
de  doin's  anyb'dy  uver  see,  Mistah  Wil'cat's  tuck  de 
lead.  Ter  see  nuttin'  but  a  ol'  bag  jumpin'  high  in  de 
air  an'  turnin'  somersets  an'  rollin'  on  de  groun'  an' 
den  gittin'  up  an'  doin'  all  sawts  er  steps,  dat  'ud  'a  bin 
jes'  too  much  fer  any  pusson,  let  'lone  dem  fool  tukkies. 

"W'en  he  git  'em  kind  er  daze'  an'  'stracted  he  step 
outen  de  bag  an'  he  say,  sezee,  ^Howdy,  ladiz  an'  gem- 
men,  howdy !  I  hope  I  sees  you  well  an'  in  de  enj'ymint 
er  good  healt'.  I  seed  you  down  yer  havin'  a  pow'ful 
good  time,  an'  I  had  de  insurance  ter  jine  you  an'  give 
you  a  eenvite  ter  teck  a  roll  down  hill  in  dish  yer  bag  er 

150 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

mine.  You-all  think  darnsin'  is  fun,  but  hits  mighty 
po'  shucks  long  side  er  de  sport  er  roUin'  down  hill  in  a 
bag.  Dem  whar  ain'  tried  hit  dunno  nuttin'  ^t  all  'bout 
hit,  an'  w'ats  mo',  dey  ain'  givine  know  lessen  dey  tries 
hit.  Come  one,  come  all !  Step  up,  ladiz  an'  gemmen ; 
de  fus'  one  in  gits  de  fus'  ride.  I'll  tote  you  ter  de  top 
er  de  hill  an'  give  you  a  shove  down.  Dellaws !  w'at 
y'all  hang  back  fer?  Y'all  so  p'lite  I  'spec'  you  'feard 
you  be  onmannerly  ef  you  gits  in  fus'.  Nemmine  'bout 
dat,  I'll  gin  you  ev'y  one  a  whu'l.  Step  in,  step  in,  my 
time  mighty  val'able.  I  gotter  be  movin'  outer  dis  'fo' 
long  an'  I  dunno  w'en  I  gwine  come  dis  way  ag'in.  Yon 
dunno  w'at  3'er  missin'  ef  you  let  dis  chanct  slip  by. 
Sho' !  I  thought  y'all  had  sense  'nuff  ter  know  a  good 
thing  w'en  you  seed  hit.' 

"Two  er  th'ee  er  de  ladiz  mek  up  der  min's  dey'd  lak 
ter  try  de  new  sport,  jes'  out  er  cur'osity,  an'  dey  went 
tippin'  up  to'des  Mistah  Wil'cat  whar  he'z  hol'in'  de 
monf  er  de  bag  open.  Jes'  den  a  ol'  gobbler  step  up 
befo'  em.  'Twuz  Mistah  Wi'yum  Wil'-tukkey,  jes'  a 
struttin'  an'  a  puffin'.  His  fedders  wuz  shinin'  in  de 
sunlight  lak  brunze,  an'  his  laigs  wuz  raid  an'  his  neck 
blue,  wid  warts  stannin'  out  over  hit,  an'  he  have  on  de 
fine  by'ud  an'  wattles  whar  he  stole  'way  f\im  Mistah 
Tarry-long  Tarr'pin.  He  sut'n'y  look  harnsum,  an'  he 
sut'n'y  ac'  lak  he  knowed  hit.  He  step  up  befo'  de 
ladiz  an'  bresh  'cm  ter  one  side  an'  say,  '^Naw,  ladiz, 
rollin'  down  hill  ain'  no  fitten  'musemint  fer  wimmins ; 
leave  dat  fer  de  mens.  G'long  home  an'  tend  ter  y'all's 
famblies.  Ef  de  trufe  wuz  knowed,  I  'spec  yo'  chillen  is 
all  scattered  out  inter  de  bresh  by  derse'f  s  dis  ve'y  minnit 


152 


ME.  WILDCAT  GOES  TUEKEY-HUXTIXG 

wliar  sump'n  boun'  ter  git  'em.  'Spectable  wimmins 
darnsin'  at  yo'  time  er  life !  Wimmin-fnlks  ain'  got  no 
bizness  w'ay  f  *um  home^  nohows ;  sho'  ter  git  inter  mis- 
chief an'  do  sump'n  nu'rr  dat  ain'  fitten  fer  'em  ter  do. 
Set  still  an'  'have  yo'se'fs  an'  let  de  men-folks  'tend  ter 
de  runnin'  roun'.  Lawdy,  lawdy !  I  kain't  see  w'y  you 
all  de  time  wantin'  ter  do  lak  de  men-folks  does  !' 

*^^Yid  dat  he  flounce  hisse'f  inter  de  bag,  an'  Wil'cat 
he  dror  de  strings  in  a  jiff,  an'  de  way  he  lit  out  f'um 
dat  place  inter  de  low-groun's  wuz  a  caution  ter  de 
beholdens.  Ez  he  go  chargin'  thu  de  bresh  he  yell  back, 
'Good  by,  ladiz,  saw'y  ter  run  off  wid  de  haid  er  de 
fambly,  but  y'all  mus'n'  fault  me  fer  dat.  He  would 
be  de  fus'  in  de  bag.  Dat  w*at  he  git  fer  not  bein'  p'lite 
'nuff  ter  let  de  ladiz  have  fus'  chanct.  Ladiz  fus'  ev'y 
time,  I  ses  !  Dat's  me.  Whoop-ee  I  good-by,  ev'yb'dy ! 
see  y'all  ag'in  some  urr  time  w'en  I  git  hongry.' 

"De  tukkies  dey  flewed  up  wid  a  gre't  cryin'  an'  flut- 
teration,  an'  dey  wan't  seed  no  mo'  in  dat  place,  I  kin 
tell  you,  ner  nob'dy  uver  bin  able  ter  'suade  one  ter  putt 
haid  in  a  bag  sence  dat  time ;  dey  done  'member  hit  too 
well.  Dey  flewed  off  gobblin'  an'  gabblin',  an'  one  ol' 
un  she  say  ter  tu'rrs,  ''Uli-huh !  'pears  lak  some  er  de 
mens  gits  inter  trouble  w'en  dey  g'way  f'um  home,  well 
ez  de  wimmins.  I  don'  see  but  w'at  we  got  jes'  ez  much 
sense  ez  dat  ol'  Wi'yum  Wil'-tukkey,  after  all.  I  reckon 
he'd  lak  ter  change  places  wid  us  dis  ve'y -minnit.' 

"Xu'rr  ol'  un  she  say,  T^as,  lawd !  dat  de  way  wid  de 
mens,  all  time  excusin'  we-all  er  cur'osity,  w'en,  ef  de 
trufe  wuz  knowed,  we  kain't  hoi'  a  cannel  to  'em  in  dat 
marter,  y'all  done  seed  dat  fer  yo'se'fs  right  now.    But 


153 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

I  reckon  ef  he  cu'd  come  back  yer  dis  ve'y  minnit,  w'icli 
pra'se  de  Lawd  he  kain't,  he'd  say  dat  we  done  putt  de 
notion  in  his  haid  by  steppin'  np  ter  de  bag.' 

"An'  dey  all  flapped  der  wings  an'  ses,  'Yas,  lawd!' 
'Trufe,  too!'    ^I  boun' you  !'" 


154 


MR.  FOX  TUEXS  FAEMER 

"Wlien  Aunt  Tlirony  had  finished  telling  how  the 
Wil'cat  cano^ht  ^Ir.  William  "Wild-turkev  it  was  Aunt 
Xancy's  turn  to  entertain  the  company.  The  children 
reminded  her  of  a  storv  she  had  once  told  them  about 
certain  shrewd  practices  of  ^Ir.  Hare's  by  which  he  cir- 
cumvented Mr.  Sly-fox,  and  they  wanted  to  know  why 
it  was  that  he  always  got  ahead  of  the  other  animals. 

"I  dunno  jes'  huccome  so/'  she  said,  ^H^ut  'pears  ter 
me  dem  gre't  big  eyes  an'  dem  long  years  is  w'at  he'p 
him  out ;  he  see  an'  year  mo'  wid  'em  in  a  minnit  dan 
urr  folks  knowin'  in  a  week,  an'  den  he  set  up  on  his 
ha'nches  an'  wu'k  his  nose,  sort  er  so,  an'  study  w'at 
use  he  kin  putt  hit  all  to  in  de  way  er  meanness,  all  de 
time  lookin'  jes'  ez  meek  an'  innercent  ez  a  lamb." 

^'^Were  he  and  the  fox  friends  afterwards  ?"  asked  Xed. 
"I  bet  I'd  a-thrashed  him  good  if  he  came  fooling  around 
me." 

^^Well,"  said  Aunt  Xancy,  "dey  kind  er,  sort  er  patch 
hit  up,  but  der  feelin's  wuz  wu'kkin'  un'need  all  de  Vile 
an'  boun'  ter  riz  up  ter  de  top  sometime,  same  'z  dish  yer 
barm  I  putts  inter  de  wheat-bread.  But  Fox  he  'low  ter 
hisse'f  dat  mebbe  he  kin  mek  use  er  ol'  Hyar'  an'  git 
evin  wid  him  at  one  an'  de  same  lick,  so  one  day  he  call 
roun'  at  ol'  man  Hyar's,  an'  atter  dey  pass  de  time  er 
da}^,  he  say,  Olistah  Hyar',  I  gittin'  mighty  tired  er  dish 

155 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

yer  hiintin'  an'  fisliin'  bizness.  Hits  hard  wu'k,  suh, 
hard  wu'k,  an'  niv  ol'  ooman  she  gittin'-  kind  er  raspy 
'kase  I  ain'  bring  home  mo'  vittles  ter  her  an'  de  chillens. 
I  tell  her  dis  mawnin'  I  b'lieve  I  gwine  go  in  de  f armin' 
bizness,  an'  she  tucken  ter  de  notion,  but  she  say  I 
kain't  do  hit  by  myse'f,  dat  I  'bleeged  ter  have  he'p,  an' 
she  'low,  she  did,  dat  mebbe  me  an'  you  cu'd  go  in 
cahoots  in  dis  marter,  fer  hit  well  knowin'  ter  ev'y- 
b'dy  dat  you  is  a  gre't  han'  fer  all  sorts  er  gyardin- 
truck.' 

"Eight  dar  Fox  grin  ter  hisse'f,  'kase  hit  wuz  de  sho'- 
'nuff  trufe  dat  Hyar'  wuz  fond  er  gyardin-truck,  mo' 
'special  w'at  come  outen  urr  f olkses  gyardins. 

"Mis'  Molly  Hyar'  she  wuz  doin'  chores  roun'  de  house, 
stoppin'  now  an'  den  wid  her  ban's  on  her  hips  ter  lissen 
at  'em  talk  er  ter  cuff  one'r  de  chillens,  fer  Bunny  an' 
Honey  wuz  rollin'  in  de  ashes  on  de  ha'th,  an'  Jumper 
an'  Thumper  wuz  playin'  leap-frog,  an'  Winker  an' 
Blinker  wuz  tryin'  ter  pull  de  water-pail  over.  She  go 
roun'  behime  her  ol'  man  an'  hunch  him  in  de  back 
an'  whusper  in  his  year,  ^Spunk  up,  now,  Mistah  Hyar', 
an'  tell  him  you  go  in  cahoots  wid  'im,  'kase  dish  yer's 
yo'  chanct  ter  fool  'im  ag'in.' 

"So  Hyar'  he  do  lak  he  studyin'  'bout  hit,  an'  las'  he 
say,  sezee,  ^Well,  I  dunno  'bout  dis  g3^ar din-truck,  'kase 
hit  pe'ish  out  in  de  col'  wedder;  I  bin  studyin'  'bout 
lettin'  dat  go  an'  raisin'  me  a  cawn  crap  dat  las'  all  thu 
de  winter.'  He  say  dat  'kase  he  knew  mighty  well  he 
gwine  live  offen  urr  folkses  gyardins  in  de  summer,  but 
he  ain'  knowin'  w'at  he  gwine  do,  'zackly,  'bout  vittles 
fer  de  winter. 

"Fox  say  dat  he  'gree  ter  de  cawn  crap,  an'  den  Hyar' 

156 


ME.    FOX    TUEXS    FAEMER 

lean  his  liaicl  on  his  han'  an'  clo  lak  he  study  some  mo'. 
Las'  he  say,  sezee,  ^I  dunno  w'at  we  gwine  do  'bout 
plowin'.  De  groun'  orter  be  bruk  up  dis  ve'y  day,  an' 
yer  me  all  lame'  up  f \im  dat  las'  spell  er  rheumatiz.  I 
be  mighty  saw'y  ter  see  you  start  in  by  yo'se'f,  but  I 
kain't  see  de  way  outen  hit.  I  ^low  de  wedder  gwine  be 
li'l  wo'mmer  atter  w'iles  an'  den  I  kin  light  in  an'  do  de 
wu'k  er  two  mens  ter  mek  up  fer  dis.' 

"Fox  kind  er  'spicion  dat  Hyar'  was  foolin'  him,  but 
he  wuz  de  green  han'  in  de  farmin'  bizness  an'  hatter 
be  showed  how  ter  do  de  wu'k,  so  he  kain't  say  nuttin'. 
He  tromp  all  day  over  de  rough  clods,  drivin'  de  plow, 
'twel  his  han's  wuz  all  blistu'd,  an'  he  wuz  dat  tired  he 
hatter  hoi'  outer  de  plow  hannels  ter  keep  f  um  drap- 
pin'.  All  dat  time  ol'  man  Hyar'  wuz  settin'  at  home 
in  de  arm-cheer,  smokin'  an'  teckin'  hit  easy.  He  'ud 
grin  ter  hisse'f  ev'y  now  an'  den,  an'  w'en  Mis'  Hyar' 
ax  him  w'at  de  marter,  he  'ud  tell  her,  ^Oh,  nuttin,  nut- 
tin'  't  all,  jes'  a  li'l  spazzum  er  de  jaw,  'twon't  las', 
don'  'mount  ter  nuttin',  nohow.'  But  Mis'  Hvar'  too 
smart  ter  be  tucken  in  dat-a-way;  she  knowed  sump'n 
wuz  up,  an'  she  go  off  moufin'  ter  husse'f,  ^Shucks !  ef 
dar's  one  thing  I  hate  mo'n  anu'rr  hits  ter  see  a  fool 
man  settin'  up  laughin'  ter  hisse'f  w'en  nob'dy  else 
knows  w'at  de  joke  is;  looks  too  triflin'  fer  any  use. 
'Pears  lak  he  mus'  be  laughin'  at  you  er  else  at  de  empty 
air,  one'r  de  two,  an'  nob'dy  but  a  plumb  ijit  gwine  do 
dat  las'.' 

"W'en  plantin'  time  come,  Hyar'  drug  hisse'f  out  ter 
de  fiel'  an'  let  de  cawn  run  thu  his  fingers  lak  he'z  so 
weak  he  kain't  hoi'  outer  liit.  Den,  all  ter  onct,  he  wuz 
tucken  wid  a  fit  er  de  shivers  an'  trimmle  lak  a  aspum, 

157 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

an'  he  say  he  b'lieve  he  gittin'  de  bone-break  fever^  an' 
he  'bleeged  ter  go  home  an'  git  on  de  baid. 


"Wen  de  time  done  come  ter  wii'k  de  cawn,  Hvar' 
tncken  a  hoe  an'  g'longed  ter  one  een'  uv  a  row  an'  tol' 
Fox  ter  begin  at  tn'rr  een',  an'  den  dey'd  meet  in  de  mid- 
dle, an'  dat  way  each  man  be  sho'  ter  do  half.    I  let  you 

158 


ME.    FOX    TUEXS    FARMER 

know  lie  wiiz  mifrhtv  slow  at  his  een'  er  de  row  an'  w'en 
dey  wuz  'bout  ter  meet,  he  'nience  ter  sing  songs  an' 
tell  tales  an*  cnt  sech  shines  dat  ol'  Fox  ain'  notuss 
how  li'l  wu"k  bin  done  at  dat  een'  er  de  line.  Wen 
Hyar'  see  he  done  srot  Fox's  min'  clean  offen  de  wn'k, 
he  tuck  him  b}^  de  shoulder,  right  fren'lv  an'  familious, 
an'  turn  him  roun'  tu'rr  way,  an'  den  he  say:  ^Well, 
well,  ol'  man,  you  hasn'  come  near  half-way,  but  you 
does  mighty  well  fer  a  green  han'.  Jes'  you  g'long 
back  ter  de  een'  er  de  nex'  row,  an'  w'en  we  meets  ag'in, 
lessee  ef  you  kain't  git  li"l  mo'  nearer  ter  de  middle.' 

"Ef  Fox  had  look  behime  "im  he  'ud  'a  knowed  he 
bin  fooled,  but  he  ain'  haye  de  sense  ter  do  dat,  so  he  go 
trudgin'  an'  trampin'  all  de  way  down  de  row,  w'iles 
Hyar'  he  gin  a  hop,  skip  an'  jump  an'  wuz  back  in  his 
place  in  a  jiff,  'kase  he  ain'  haye  fur  fer  ter  go. 

"Dey  kep'  hit  up  dat-a-way  ontwel  shuckin'  time,  w'en 
dey  wuz  ter  'yide  de  crap.  Den  Hyar'  he  say,  sezee,  ^I 
done  had  de  mos'  spe'yunce  an'  sidesen  dat  1  is  good  at 
figgers,  so  I  reckon  I  bes'  do  de  kyountin'  an'  let  you 
do  de  shuckin'.'  So  Mistah  Fox  he  sot  down  below  an' 
pullt  de  shucks  offen  de  cawn  an'  th'owed  de  years  up 
ter  ol'  Hyar',  whar  wuz  stannin'  up  in  de  cawn-crib  ter 
ketch  'em. 

"He  k3^ount  straight  fer  li'l  w'ile,  'kase  he  seed  Fox 
cuttin'  his  eye  up  at  'im  ey'y  now  an'  den,  l)ut  pres'n'y, 
w'en  he  think  he  got  'im  offen  de  scent  an'  de  cawn  'gin 
ter  pile  up  roun'  'im  so't  Fox  cu'dden  see  'im  ye'y 
well,  he  lit  out  inter  meanness  ag'in  an'  start  ter 
kyountin'  wrong.  All  de  time  he  wuz  singin'  a  ol'-time 
shuckin'-song  whar  run  lak  dis : 

159 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

'Husl--o  up  an'-a-liusli-o  down, 
An-a-liusl'o,  liusl'-o  all  aroun. 
Turn,  0  ladiz,  turnj  turn. 
Somebody's  at  de  ivinderf 

"W^en  he  sing  ^hiisk-o  up/  he  kotch  a  year  er  cawn, 
an'  w'en  he  sing  ^husk-o  down/  he  mek  lak  he  th'ow  hit 
on  Fox's  heap,  but  stidder  dat  he  pass  hit  roun'  behime 
him  w'en  he  say  ^husk-o,  husk-o  all  aroun'/  an'  w'en  he 
say  ^Turn,  0  ladiz,  turn,  turn/  he  drap  hit  sof  ly  outer 
his  own  heap.  He  do  dat  ev'y  urr  time,  an'  I  ses  ter 
you  dat  w'en  dey  got  thu,  ol'  man  Fox  come  out  at  de 
li'l  een'  er  de  hawn,  wid  a  pow'ful  po'  showin'  er  cawn. 

"Fox  scratch  his  haid  an'  feel  mighty  jubous.  He 
say,  'Yer  I  is,  done  wu'k  day  in  an'  day  out,  rain  er 
shine.  Done  plow,  done  sow,  done  hoe,  done  harves', 
an'  dish  yer  li'l  heap  er  cawn  all  I  got  ter  show  fer  hit. 
Sump'n  wrong,  sump'n  'bleeged  ter  he  wrong,  yit  I 
kain't  jes'  prezackly  putt  my  paw  on  hit,  I  boun'  ol' 
Hyar'  know  mighty  well  w'at  'tis.  But  'tain'  no  use 
ter  ax  him  ques'hins  ner  argyfy,  'kase  he  boun'  ter  slip 
outen  hit,  somehow.  I  wish  't  I  had  'im  yer  dis  ve'y 
minnit,  de  trash-er-de-worl' !  I  boun'  I'd  teck  de  natchel 
hide  offen  'im.' 

"Jes'  'bout  den  Hyar'  come  sa'nterin'  'long  an'  year 
de  las'  wu'ds  whar  Mistah  Fox  done  say.  ^Who  dat  you 
gwine  teck  de  hide  offen  him  ?'  sezee.  ^Oh,  nuttin'  't  all, 
Mistah  Hyar',  nuttin'  't  all ;  jes'  one'r  my  chillens  whar 
bin  talkin'  up  sassy  ter  his  maw  w'iles  I  bin  'way  f  um 
home,  farmin'.  Chillen  gittin'  mighty  'sumptions  dese 
days,  Mistah  Hyar' ;  mighty  'sum*ptious,  suh ;  an'  we-all 
mus'n'  spare  de  rod  lessen  we  wants  ter  spile  de  chil'.' 

160 


MR.    FOX    TUEXS    FARMER 

"In  co'se  Hvar'  wan't  tucken  in  bv  dat  talk  'bout  do 
'havishness  er  ^listah  Fox's  chil',  but  he  pass  hit  over 
an'  say,  might}^  fren'ly:  'Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox,  how 
'bout  dat  'tater  crap  uv  ow'n?  "We  mus'  be  gittin'  dat 
in  soon  er  Jack  Fros'  gwine  come  'long  an'  git  de  good 
nv  hit  bef  o'  we-all.' 

"Dat  wnz  de  time  Fox  think  he  see  de  chanct  ter  git 
ahaid  er  ol'  Hyar'.  He  wnz  dat  green  'bout  farmin'  he 
ain'  know  dat  de  good  part  er  de  'tater  crap  wuz  un'need 
de  groun' ;  he  think  de  good  part's  on  top,  same  ez  wid 
de  cawn  crap,  w'ich  wuz  de  on'ies  one  he  know  anything 
'bout;  so  he  sa}^,  "^Yell,  Mistah  Hyar',  ef  hit  be  'greeable 
unter  you,  I'd  lak  ter  spar'  you  all  dat  kyountin'  biz- 
ness  you  done  went  thu  wid  wid  de  cawn,  an'  so  I  ses 
le's  we  'vide  up  de  'tater  crap  dis-a-way :  me  tek  all  dat's 
in  sight,  you  tek  all  dat's  outer  sight ;  me  all  dat's  'bove 
de  groun',  you  all  dat's  un'need  hit.' 

"Hyar'  wuz  dat  tickelt  he  kain't  keep  his  face  straight, 
so  he  turn  his  back  an'  say,  ^  'Scuse  me  jes'  one  minnit, 
Mistah  Slickry,  I  got  a  bite,  an'  I'se  'bleeged  ter  tend 
ter  hit.'  His  sides  shuk  so't  he'z  feard  Fox  might  see 
'im  an'  back  outen  de  bargum.  But  Fox  so  please'  wid 
de  notion  er  comin'  hit  over  ol'  Hyar'  dat  he  ain'  notuss 
nuttin'. 

"Hyar'  turn  roun'  pres'n'y  an'  do  lak  he  study  li'l 
bit,  an'  den  he  say:  'Mistah  Fox,  I  reckon  I  hatter 
'gree  ter  dis  'rangemint,  fer  you  done  wu'k  right  fait'ful, 
but  'pears  lak  hit  kind  er  one-sided,  'kase  ev'yb'dy  know- 
in'  dat  'tater-tops  mek  mighty  tasty  greens,  same  time  't 
dey  knows  de  wuf'lessness  er  de  roots.  Xemmine,  I 
gwine  do  lak  you  sez.' 

"Den  Fox  go  all  thu  de  'tater-patch  cuttin'  off  de 

161 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

tops,  an^  Hvar'  foller  long  atter  'im  diggin'  up  de 
roots,  an'  bofe  nn  *om  wnz  so  please'  wid  w'at  dey  doin' 
dat  dey  hatter  stop  ev  j  now  an'  den  an'  go  off  li'l  ways 
ter  laugh.  Den  dey'd  come  back  an'  be  mighty  sof- 
soapy,  an'  offer  ter  he'p  one  nu'rr,  an'  den  wn'k  on 
'twel  dey  'bleeged  ter  bns'  ont  ag'in.  Las'  dey  wuz  thn, 
an'  Fox  went  trundlin'  off  home,  staggerin'  miner  de 
gre't  load  er  'tater-tops  he  wuz  kyar'yin'  on  his  haid. 
Wen  he  git  dar  he  wish  he  done  stay  'way,  fer  Mis' 
Fox  she  know  mo'  'bout  sech  ez  dat  dan  he'  ol'  man  did. 
She  say,  'Wat  you  got  dar,  all  wilt'  up  ?' 

"He  say :  -'  'Tater-tops.   Mek  fine  greens.' 

"Den  she  jes'  natchelly  putt  her  mouf  on  'im  an' 
let  'im  know  w'at  she  think. 

"'I  boun'  dat  wuf'less  Hyar'  done  tol'  j-ou  dat,'  sez 
she,  'an'  w'at's  mo',  I  'low  dat  ol'  ooman  er  his'n,  dat 
ol'  Molly  Cotton-tail,  done  putt  him  up  to  hit ;  drat  dat 
ooman !'  sez  she.  'Me  settin'  home  yer  slavin'  fer  you 
an'  de  chillens  w'iles  you  off  on  dat  farmin'  bizness,  an' 
now  we-all  gotter  go  hongry  an'  let  dem  hyar's  nibble 
up  all  de  'taters  you  done  wu'k  so  hard  ter  raise.  Wat 
is  I  done  dat  I  hatter  be  tied  to  a  man  so  onignoran' 
he  dunno  'taters  grows  un'need  de  groun',  an'  so  shif - 
less  dat  he  let  me  an'  my  chillens  2:0  hongry  ?  I  reckon 
you  bes'  let  farmin'  'lone  an'  go  back  ter  yo'  huntin'  an' 
fishin',  dat  is,  ef  you  got  sense  'nuff  ter  keep  ol'  man 
Hyar'  f'um  gittin'  han's  on  ev'ything,  atter  you  done 
bag  hit.' 

"He  ain'  say  nuttin';  he  wuz  dat  outdone  he  kain't 
even  jaw  de  ol'  ooman,  but  f'um  dat  time  ontwel  dis 
day  an'  gineration,  no  pusson  uver  3'ear  tell  er  Mistah 


162 


ME.    FOX    TUEXS    FARMEE 

Slickry  Slv-fox  mcddlin'  wid  farmin'.   Ilvar'  done  kvore 
him  er  dat. 

"An'  now  I  gottcr  mosey  home,"  added  the  old 
woman  with  a  huge  yawn  which  she  politely,  but  vainly, 
tried  to  smother,  "an'  I  reckon  you  chillen  better  be 
movin',  too,  er  de  San'  ^lan  gwine  ketch  you  betwix' 
yer  an'  de  house,  an'  you  won't  git  home  dis  night." 


16 


o 


CANADI  AND  THE  WOLVES 


One  clay  the  children  dropped  into  Aunt  'Phrony's 
cabin  and  found  her  sitting  before  the  fire  with  her 
dog,  Snap,  curled  up  at  her  feet  and  her  quilt  pieces 
lying  all  about,  engaged  in  putting  together  a  gorgeous 
and  complicated  pattern  which  she  called  the  '^^Sun- 
flower Patch."  Snap  was  the  lean  and  ill-favored  hunting 
dog  that  lived  with  Aunt  ^Phrony  on  terms  of  armed 
neutrality;  when  she  showed  him  the  broom,  he  showed 
her  his  teeth,  and  the  matter  under  dispute  was  usually 
dropped  then  and  there.  She  valued  him  not  for  his 
character,  but  for  his  accomplishments  as  a  hunter.  He 
valued  her  as  the  giver  of  food  and  shelter  and  appar- 
ently there  was  no  love  lost  between  them ;  yet  with  that 
curious  sort  of  loyalty  which  often  prevails  in  families. 
Aunt  Tlirony  would  permit  no  one  to  asperse  her  dog 
but  herself.  It  was  not  safe  even  to  agree  with  her 
when  she  chose  to  speak  her  mind  about  him.  When 
she  stirred  him  with  her  foot  to  make  room  about  the 
fire  for  the  children,  he  gave  an  angry  snarl  and  got  up 
and  walked  off  with  an  air  of  injured  dignity  which 
suited  his  style  of  dogship  exactly.  No  doubt  he  knew 
that  such  was  the  case,  for  he  chose  to  wear  that  manner 
the  greater  part  of  the  time  and  only  unbent  in  the 
excitement  of  the  chase. 

Tlague  take  de  dog,"  said  his  owner.,  "dar's  no  livin' 

164 


i'l 


CAXADI    AXD    THE    WOLVES 

wid  de  onmannerly  beas'.  He  gits  mo'  cross  an'  re- 
vingeful  all  de  time.  Ef  he  live  'long  'nuf?  I  'spec'  he 
git  ez  bad  ez  de  wolfs  whar  useter  wu'k  fer  Canadi. 
'Pears  ter  me  dat  de  wolfs  an'  de  dogs  is  mighty  clost 
akin,  anyhow, 

"You  ax  me  who  wuz  Canadi  ?  Well,  now,  he  wuz  in 
a  ol',  ol'  Injun  tale  whar  I  useter  year  w'en  I  wuz  a 
li'l  gal  in  Xawf  Ca'liny.  Canadi  he  wuz  a  gre't  hunter ; 
sech  a  gre't  man  an'  a  gre't  hunter  dat  de  people  ain' 
b'lieve  he  wuz  'zackly  human.  His  name  means,  in  de 
Churry^Te  talk,  Tucky  fer  Game.'  De  big  game  an' 
de  li'l  game  he  cu'd  fine  an'  kill  'em  all,  nemmine  how 
dev  hide  demse'fs  'wav  f'um  'im  in  de  woods  an'  de 
mountains  an'  de  kyaves,  an'  ev'y  one  er  de  bu'ds  an' 
beas'eses  an'  de  fishes  wuz  'feard  er  Canadi :  dev  wuz 
dat. 

"De  wolfs  and  Canadi  wuz  gre't  f ren's ;  'deed  dey  wuz 
all  his  sarvants  an'  he  wuz  de  marster  an'  dey  min' 
jes'  w'at  he  say.  He  useter  go  out  an'  fin'  de  game, 
an'  de  wolfs  dey'd  wait  an'  ketch  hit  an'  bring  hit  home. 
Dey's  gre't  on  dat.  Dey  kin  run  an'  run  widout  gittin' 
tired  er  losin'  der  wind,  an'  dey  kin  run  down  mos' 
anything  dat  run  on  laigs.  So  w'en  dey  wanster  ketch 
some  creetur  dey  jes'  gits  toge'rr  an'  runs  an'  runs  him 
ontwel  he's  all  beat  out  an'  stove  up,  an'  den  dey  nabs 
'im.  Dev  sut'n'v  is  a  mean  lot,  mean  ez  dev  kin  stick 
in  der  skins,  wid  der  ol'  green  eyes  an'  der  long  tongues 
lollin'  out  an'  der  gre't  toofs  a-shinin'.  'Sense  me  f'um 
meetin'  up  wid  'em  atter  dark.  But  Canadi  he  wan't 
^zackly  human,  so  he  wan't  'feard  un  'em :  'deed  dey 
wuz  'feard  er  him  an'  dey  ain'  dast  ter  disobey  him. 

"One  day  he  call  'em  ter  come  an'  go  wid  'im,  'kase 

165 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

he  wuz  gwine  out  atter  big  game  an'  lie  want  ^em  tcr 
foller  clost.  He  ain'  feed  'em  den,  'kase  he  knowed 
dey  hunted  better  w'en  dey  wuz  hongry,  but  he  alluz 
gin  'em  a  part  er  w'at  dey  brung  home.  Well,,  dey 
went  on  an'  dey  went  on,  up  inter  de  big  mountains, 
an'  las'  Canadi  come  'cross  a  turr'ble  creetur  whar  live 
in  a  kyave,  an'  he  lef  de  wolfs  ter  skeer  hit  out  an' 
fetch  hit  to  *im,  an'  den  went  on  'bout  his  bizness. 

"De  wolfs  dey  skeered  de  creetur  out  an'  lo  an'  behol' 
'twuz  a  gre't  sarpint.  But,  bless  goodness,  he  ain'  have 
no  notion  er  gittin'  outer  de  way ;  he  jes'  come  a-r'arin' 
outer  de  kyave  an'  splunged  right  inter  de  midse  er  de 
wolfs,  an'  I  tell  you  dey  had  hit  den.  De  fur  flewed 
an'  de  wolfs  howled  an'  de  sarpint  hissed  'twel  de 
mountains  plumb  shuk  an'  de  stones  come  a-rollin' 
down  de  sides.  Las'  de  sarpint  bit  one'r  de  wolfs  an' 
kilt  'im,  an'  de  res'  got  skeered  an'  went  lopin'  off  an' 
lef  'im  dar. 

"Dat  wuz  de  fus'  time  dey  fail  sence  dey  bin  doin' 
huntin'  fer  Canadi,  an'  dey  ses  ter  one  nu'rr,  'Canadi 
mus'  'a  had  a  han'  in  dis.'  Dey  knowed  he  wuz  a  gre't 
cunjerer  an'  dey  'spicioned  dat  he  done  putt  a  spell  on 
de  wolf  whar  got  kilt.  Dey  study  'bout  hit  an'  study 
'bout  hit  an'  git  mo'  an'  mo'  'spicious  'twel  las'  dey 
'clar'  dat  dey  sut'n'y  gwine  revinge  derse'fs  an'  kill 
Canadi,  an'  den  dey  'gun  ter  lay  der  plans  ter  do  dat. 

"Canadi  he  wan't  a  cunjerer  fer  nuttin',  an'  he  soon 
foun'  out  w'at  dey  wuz  up  ter,  an'  he  call  'em  all  roun' 
an'  sav,  sezee:  'Mv  fren's,  ain'  I  bin  vo'  marster  fer 
dis  long  time,  an'  ain'  I  treat  you  de  bes'  I  knows  how  ? 
Ain'  I  p'int  out  all  de  game  ter  you  an'  ain'  I  gin  you 
all  a  sheer  uv  hit  ?    Ain'  I  treat  you  f a'r  an'  squar'  ?' 

166 


CANADI    AXD    THE    WOLVES 

"Dey  liatter  own  up,  'kase  ^twuz  de  trufe,  an'  dey 
look  sort  er  'shame'  er  deyse'fs.  Den  Canadi  go  on  an' 
he  say,  sezee :  '  'Twuz  yo'  own  foolishness  done  de  mis- 
chief, dat  w'at  'twuz.  You  know  de  way  I  done  I'arn 
you  ter  hunt  is  ter  pussue  atter  de  creetur  'twel  hit  all 
tire'  out  an'  den  s'roun'  hit  an'  all  fall  'pun  hit  toge'rr. 
But  dat  sarpint  wan't  tire'  out  a-tall,  an'  w'en  you  seed 
hit  show  fight,  den  wuz  de  time  w'en  you  orter  done  de 
gitten  outer  de  way.  I  ses  ter  you,  an'  I  don'  want  you 
ter  fergit  hit,  dat  hit's  a  gre't  thing  in  dis  w^orl'  ter 
know  jes'  w'en  ter  run.  Hit  teks  good  hoss-sense  ter 
know  dat.  Fools  fights  befo'  dey  thinks,  an'  tu'rr  folks 
thinks  befo'  dey  fights.  Quit  dis  'havishness  an'  cle'r 
out  'twel  I  wants  you,  an'  don'  lemme  year  no  mo'  'bout 
layin'  plans  ag'in  me,  er  I  putt  sech  a  spell  on  you  dat 
you'll  ketch  de  nuver-git-overs.' 

"De  wolfs  went  slinkin'  off,  an'  fer  a  li'l  w'ile  dey 
thought  'twuz  jes'  de  sarpint  dat  kilt  der  fren',  an'  so 
dey  ses :  ^Now  le's  we  watch  ow'  chanct  an'  git  redd  er 
dat  p'ison-mean  creetur  whar  done  kilt  ow'  fren'.  I 
boun'  you  w'en  we  git  thu  wid  'im  dar  ain'  gwine  be  a 
piece  uv  'im  lef  big  'nuff  ter  quile  an'  onquile  hitse'f.' 

"So  dey  putt  a  watch  on  'im  an'  las',  one  day,  dey 
ketched  'im  fas'  asleep  sunnin'  hisse'f  on  a  rock  jes' 
outside  de  kyave  an'  one  un  'em  tucken  him  by  de  back 
er  de  neck,  so's't  he  kain't  bite  an'  de  res'  jump  on  'im, 
an'  dey  mek  shawt  wu'k  er  dat  sarpint;  'deed  dey  did. 
Dat  sassified  'em  fer  a  w'ile  an'  den  dey  'gun  ter 
'spicion  Canadi  ag'in,  'kase  onct  dese  yer  'spicions  gits 
inter  de  haid,  dey  sticks  closeter  dan  cockle-burs  in 
sheep's  wool,  an'  w'en  hit  comes  ter  gittin'  'em  out, 
someb'dy  mos'  sho'  ter  git  hurted  in  der  feelin's,  same 

167 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

cz  you  git  hurtcd  in  do  fingers  w'en  you  pulls  out  de 
cockle-burs.  Dey  'gun  ter  dog  roun'  an'  watch  'im  an' 
play  'im  tricks,  stealin'  f  um  him  an'  eatin'  up  all  de 
game  he  sont  'em  alter,  'twel  las'  he  see  'twan't  no  good 
an'  dat  dey  gwine  do  him  harm  ef  he  don'  git  shed  uv 
'cm;  so  he  call  'em  all  up  an'  he  say,  ^You-all  is  de 
meanes',  hongries',  'ceitfules'  creeturs  on  de  face  er  de 
yearf,  an'  I  gwine  wash  my  han's  uv  you  an'  gin  you 
yo'  walkin'  papers  dis  ve'y  minnit.  You  kin  quit  my 
sarvice  an'  you  kain't  nuver  git  back  in  hit  no  mo',  fer 
a  fren'  los'  is  a  inimy  foun',  an'  now  we  know  whar  w^e 
gwine  stan'  f um  dis  time  fo'th.' 

'^^Wid  dat  he  p'int  his  finger  an'  de  wolfs  dey  know 
he  mean  jes'  w'at  he  say,  an'  dey  go  slinkin'  off  thu  de 
woods,  snappin'  an'  snarlin'  at  one  nu'rr  an'  stoppin' 
now  an'  den  ter  howl  back  some  sass  at  Canadi,  an' 
w'ensomuver  dey  met,  after  dat,  dey  wuz  alluz  inimies, 
jes'  lak  Canadi  say  'twuz  gwine  be;  an'  f'um  dat  on  de 
wolfs  hatter  fin'  der  own  game  an'  Canadi  hatter  do 
his  own  killin';  an'  sence  den  de  wolfs  ain'  nuver  bin 
no  kind  er  use  ter  men,  'kase  dey  is  alluz  'ceitful  an' 
cruel  an'  revingeful." 


168 


THE  STORY  OF  A  GIAXT 

There  was  silence  for  a  while  in  the  little  cabin,  after 
the  story  of  Canadi,  during  which  Aunt  Throny  sat 
gazing  thoughtfully  into  the  fire,  having  raked  the  em- 
bers together  under  the  hickory  log  and  blown  them 
into  flame.  At  last  she  said,  giving  vent  to  her  thoughts 
of  the  past  few  minutes :  "I  reckon  ef  we  cu*d  jes' 
know  all  de  curisome  things  an'  people  an'  creeturs 
whar  bin  on  dis  yearf  an'  quit  hit  fer  good,  we'd  be  dat 
'stonish'  we  ain'  kin  b'lieve  ow'  own  senses.  I  3'earn  tell 
'bout  de  giants  an'  de  ^li*l  people'  whar  useter  be,  so't 
I  know  folks  wan't  alluz  de  way  dey  is  now,  an'  my 
daddy's  people  dey  tells  lots  er  tales  'bout  creeturs  whar 
useter  live  in  de  ol'  days  an'  now  is  clean  pe'ish  offen 
de  face  er  de  j^arf.  Seem  lak  ef  all  dem  folks  an'  dem 
creeturs  cu'd  come  back,  dey  oon  know  hit  fer  de  same 
place,  an'  dey'd  be  dat  disapp'inted  an'  home-hongry  de 
hull  posse-cum-tat  'ud  jes'  lay  down  ag'in  an'  go  back 
ter  bones  an'  dus'.  I  done  year  so  much  'bout  'em  dat 
I  kain't  git  'em  outen  my  haid,  an'  seem  lak  I  kain't 
git  my  own  cornsent  ter  leave  dis  worl'  widout  knowin' 
jes'  who  an'  w'at  bin  yer  befo'  I  camed.  I  mought  ez 
well  quit  studyin'  'bout  hit,  dough,  fer  dar  ain'  no  mo' 
chanct  er  knowin'  dat  dan  dar  is  er  knowin'  who  an' 
w'at  gwine  come  atter  I'se  gone." 

"Did  they  really  have  people  and  animals  then  that 
we  don't  have  now  ?"  said  Xed. 

169 


AT    THE    BIG    HOrSE 

The  old  woman  answered  with  an  emphatic  nod  that 
said  more  than  words,  and  intimated  that  she  knew  far 
more  on  the  subject  than  she  was  ever  likely  to  tell. 

"Please  tell  us  about  some  of  the  old-time  people/' 
the  boy  urged,  while  the  other  two  crowded  close  to  her 
knees  and  looked  up  into  her  face  with  the  interest  they 
did  not  put  into  language. 

"Le's  see/'  she  said  thoughtfully ;  "I  b'lieve  I  'member 
one  'bout  a  giant.  How  does  y'all  think  dat  'ud  suit  yo' 
notion  ?" 

Of  course  the  children  declared  that  a  giant  would 
be  the  very  thing,  so  Aunt  'Phrony  proceeded:  "You 
know  de  Bible  ses,  ^Dar  wuz  giants  in  dem  days/  so 
'tain'  no  use  fer  no  pusson  ter  say  he  don'  b'lieve  in 
giants;  'kase  ef  de  Bible  sez  dar  wuz  giants,  den  dar 
wuz  giants.  'Tain'  say  w'at  days,  but  co'se  hit  mus'  'a 
bin  de  same  days  whar  de  Injuns  knowed  'bout.  But 
'pears  lak  befo'  all  de  giants  wuz  gone  dar  wuz  some 
folks  dat  wuz  small,  lak  we-all;  so  dat  de  worl'  wuz 
kind  er  mix  up,  some  big,  some  li'l.  In  dem  days  de 
folks  built  der  houses  raise'  up  th'ee  er  fo'  feet  f'um  de 
groun'  on  blocks  er  wood.  Dar  wuz  a  man  an'  his  wife 
had  one'r  dem  houses,  an'  dey  had  a  daughter  whar 
wuz  a  mighty  likely,  pooty  gal. 

"Well,  suh,  w'at  do  dat  mis'able  gal  do  but  teck  hit 
inter  her  haid  ter  ma'y  a  giant.  De  ol'  folks  dey  'suade 
an'  dey  'suade  'er,  but  'tain'  no  use ;  fer  w'en  a  gal  onct 
gits  sot  on  de  wrong  man,  de  on'ies  kyore  is  ter  let  her 
ma'y  him  an'  fin'  out  her  mistake,  w'icht  some  time  she 
do  an'  sometime  she  don',  but  w'ichuver  'tis,  she  ain' 
gwine  let  on.  Dat's  de  gre't  bizness  in  life  wid  lots  er 
wimmins — not  ter  let  on.     Ef  dey  did^  my  gracious, 

170 


THE    STORY    OF    A    GIANT 

w'at  sort  er  wor?  ^ud  dish  yer  be !  No  livin'  in  hit  ef 
de  wimmins  onct  turnt  der  tongues  aloose  ^bout  der 
men-folks.  De  on^ies  comfu't  in  de  marter  is  dat  nut- 
tin'  kin  hoi'  'em  back  f'um  turnin'  'em  aloose  right  at 
de  mens  w'en  no  one  else  roun'  ter  year  'em.  Tongues 
wag  all  de  harder  'kase  dey  bin  hilt  back  de  res'  er  de 
time."  So  Aunt  'Phrony,  the  victim  of  an  unhappy 
marriage,  rambled  on  to  herself  rather  than  to  the  chil- 
dren, whose  presence  she  had  almost  forgotten  in  her 
moralizings  on  matrimony,  in  which  she  was  prone  to 
indulge  whenever  the  subject  came  up. 

She  brought  herself  back  to  her  story  with  a  jerk, 
saying:  "AYell,  dat  gal  she  done  ma'y  de  giant,  an'  ef 
she  wuz  saw'y  fer  hit  she  ain'  let  on  to  her  daddy  an' 
her  mammy.  De}^  live  near  her  in  one'r  dem  cur'ous 
li'l  houses  set  up  on  blocks,  an'  ev'y  day  she  come  ter 
see  'em  an'  pass  de  time  er  day  wid  'em  an'  ax  'em 
how  dey  did,  but  dey  nuver  sot  eyes  on  de  giant  any 
mo'n  ef  he  wan't  in  de  Ian'  er  de  livin'.  Dev  think  dat 
sort  er  cur'ous,  but  dey  ain'  dast  ter  say  nuttin'  ter  de 
gal,  'kase  she  done  hoi'  her  haid  high  an'  look  sort  er 
fierce  'bout  de  eyes  w'enuver  dey  try  ter  bring  de  talk 
roun'  to'des  him. 

"Ev'y  mawnin'  w'en  dey  come  outside  de  do',  dar 
wuz  a  daid  deer  a-layin'  on  de  groun',  er  mebbe  hit  'ud 
be  a  daid  tukkey  all  raidy  fer  cookin'.  Dey  'mence  ter 
think  dish  yer  wuz  a  son-in-law  wuf  havin'  after  all, 
but  still  dey  wunner  an'  dey  wunner  dat  dey  ain'  see 
him,  an'  dey  sez  ter  one  nu'rr:  ^Wat  time  you  reckon 
dat  man  git  up  ter  go  huntin'?  'Kase  nemmine  how 
early  we  git  up  we  nuver  kin  ketch  'im.' 

"All  de  same,  dey  et  up  de  deers  an'  de  tukkies,  an^ 

171 


AT    THE    BICt    house 

den  doY  sot  down  an'  dey  studied  an'  dey  studied  'bout 
der  cur'ous  big  son-in-law  'twel  seem  lak  dey  kain't  git 
him  outen  der  haids  fer  a  minnit. 

"Wen  dey  got  outer  wood  de  giant  he'd  fin'  out  'bout 
hit^  an'  fus'  news  dey  knowed  he'd  drag  home  a  big 
tree  f'um  de  woods,  roots  an'  all,  jes'  ez  eas}^  ez  ef 
'twan't  nuttin'  but  a  stick  er  wood,  an'  leave  hit  whar 
dey  kin  git  hit.  Yit  dey  nuver  year  no  noise  ner  ketch 
him  doin'  de  draggin' ;  so  dey  kep'  on  wunnerin'  an' 
wunnerin'  an'  studyin'  an'  studyin',  but  dey  kep'  on, 
all  de  same,  burnin'  de  wood  he  bringed  'em.  Some- 
times dey  sez,  ^Well,  he  ain'  sech  a  bad  son-in-law,  atter 
all';  an'  yit  ag'in  de  ol'  ooman  she'd  say:  ''Jes'  'pears 
ter  me  I  kain't  stan'  dish  yer  no  longer.  Hit  gin  me 
de  creeps,  'deed  hit  do,  ter  know  dat  man  whar 
so  tall  he  hatter  double  up  ter  git  in  thu  de  do',  an'  so 
strong  he  kin  drag  an'  pull  trees,  roots  an'  all,  is 
a-dustin'  roun'  ow'  house  in  de  night,  an'  hether  an' 
yon  thu  de  w^oods,  fetchin'  an'  kyar'yin',  an'  we  nuver 
seein'  'im  anv  mo'n  ef  he  wuz  a  sperrit.  I  don'  kvare 
w'at  come  ner  w'at  go,  jes'  so  I  kin  see  hit,  but  w'en 
things  git  ter  spookin'  roun'  in  de  dark,  den  I'se  done 
fer.' 

"De  ol'  man  he  say,  sezee,  ^Same  way  wid  me,  ol' 
ooman,  but  long'z  he  ain'  did  no  harm  yit  an'  done 
save  me  a  lot  er  elbergrease,  I'se  gwine  keep  my  mouf 
shet  a  w'ile  longer  an'  see  w'at  happen.' 

"Things  went  on  dat-a-way  an'  went  on  dat-a-way, 
de  giant  fetchin'  de  deers  an'  de  tukkies  an'  de  fire- 
wood, de  ol'  folks  eatin'  de  game  an'  burnin'  de  wood 
an'  wunnerin'  an'  wunnerin'  an'  studyin'  an'  studyin' 
'bout  de  giant.     Ev'y  day  de  gal  come  ter  see  'em,  an' 

172 


THE    STORY    OF    A    GIANT 

ev'y  day  befo'  she  come  dey  ses  ter  one  nu'rr  dat  dey 
gwine  ax  her  'bout  de  giant,  an'  ev'y  day  w'en  she  git 
dar  dey  ain'  do  hit.  Las',  de  gal  have  a  li'l  chiF  an' 
she  bring  hit  fer  her  daddy  an'  mammy  ter  see,  an'  dey 
mek  gre't  'miration  over  hit,  same'z  de  gran'daddies  an' 
gran'mammies  alluz  does,  -an'  de  gal  she  look  mighty 
please'  an'  proud,  same'z  de  young  mammies  alluz  does 
w'en  dey's  showin'  off  der  babies. 

"Atter  de  gal  tucken  de  chil'  home,  de  ol'  ooman  sez 
ter  de  ol'  man:  ^Dat  sho'  is  a  fine  chil',  hit  sho'  is, 
but  I  wanter  ax  you  dis :  is  you  year  dat  chil'  let  out 
de  fus'  smidgin  uv  a  squeal?  is  you  now?  Fer  ef  you 
is,  I  ain';  not  de  ghos'  uv  a  whimper,  suh;  not  one. 
An'  I  have  my  'pinion  uv  a  baby  whar  ain'  cry.  Don' 
talk  ter  me  'bout  good  babies !  Ef  dey  ain'  cry,  I  knows 
dey  ain'  human.  Sump'n  cur'ous  'bout  dat  baby,  an' 
dat  gal  kin  hug  hit  up  all  she  wanster,  but  ez  fer  me, 
I'se  'feard  un  hit,  an'  I  ain'  gwine  tetch  hit  fer  fear  I 
git  some  kind  er  spell  putt  on  me ;  'deed  I  ain'.' 

"De  ol'  man  he  say :  ^Well,  you  know  I  ain'  much  on 
totin'  babies,  nohow;  alluz  'pears  ter  me  dey  gwine 
drap  ter  pieces  on  my  ban's,  an'  I  let  you  know  I  ain' 
gwine  tetch  dis  un ;  seem  lak  I  kain't  feel  dat  hit's  any 
a-kin  er  mine.  Jes'  lak  you  ses,  sump'n  cur'ous  'bout 
dat  chil',  an'  I  reckon  we  bes'  go  slow  'twel  we  fin'  out 
w'at  'tis.' 

"Dey  kep'  on  gittin'  skeerder  an'  skeerder  an'  de  gal 
she  kep'  on  bringin'  de  chil'  ter  see  'em  ev'y  mawnin'. 
Dey  had  mighty  oneasy  times  tryin'  ter  be  mannerly 
an'  keep  on  de  right  side  er  de  gal  an'  yit  not  tetch  de 
chil'.  Las'  de  gal  see  how  'twuz,  an'  she  got  hurted  in 
her  feelin's  an'  went  home  an'  tol'  de  giant  dat  her 

173 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

maw  an'  her  paw  wuz  'feard  er  de  baby.  Den  de  giant 
he  got  hurted  in  his  feelin's^  an'  co'se  his  feelin's  wuz 
bigger'n  her'n  an'  hurted  him  wusser^  an'  he  jes'  rave 
an'  he  kyave.  He  sa}^:  ^Yer  I  bin  fetchin'  game  an' 
wood  fer  vo'  daddy  an'  mammy  an'  jDomperin'  'em  up 
'twel  dey  ain'  have  nuttin'  ter  do^  an'  den  dey  ac'  lak 
dis.  Yer  I  wuz  gwine  roun'  dat  house  ev'y  niglit  an' 
cu'd  jes'  a  knock  hit  over  wid  my  lis'  same'z  you  smash 
a  aig-shell,  er  blow  hit  down  wid  my  bref ;  jes'  one  puff 
'ud  a  sont  hit  over  in  a  jiff.  But  I  ain'  do  nuttin'  't  all 
'ceptin'  ter  he'p  'em,  an'  yer  dey  hatter  go  an'  git 
skeer'd  er  mv  chil'.  Dev  is  skeer'd  er  me,  too ;  I  knows 
dat;  dat  don'  mek  no  diffens,  but  w'en  hit  come  ter 
gittin'  skeery  'bout  dat  po'  li'l  chil',  I  gwine  gin  'em 
sump'n  ter  git  skeery  'bout,  sho'  'nuff;  I  gwine  show 
'em  huccome.' 

"Den  de  gal  she  saw'y  she  done  tol'  him  'bout  her 
daddy  an'  her  mammy,  an'  she  'suacle  an'  'suade  him 
ter  let  'em  off,  'twel  las'  he  promuss  he  let  'em  'lone, 
but  he  say :  ^I  tell  you  p'in'-blank  dat  ef  I  lets  'em  off, 
I  ain'  gwine  stay  yer  an'  see  'em  turn  up  der  noses  at 
my  chil' ;  dat  I  ain'.  I  jes'  gwine  teck  him  an'  putt  out 
f'um  yer  an'  go  so  fur  off  dat  dey  ain'  nuver  gwine  set 
eyes  on  him  ag'in;  you  kin  jes'  mek  up  yo'  min'  ter  dat.' 
Den  he  rave  an'  he  kyave  some  mo'  an'  skeert  de  gal 
mos'  outen  her  wits.  Her  daddv  an'  her  mammv  vearn 
de  soun'  an'  ses  ter  one  nu'rr  dat  dar  mus'  be  a  thunder- 
storm gwine  on  up  in  de  mountains. 

"De  gal  she  baig  an'  she  baig,  an'  she  say  dat  ef  he 
teck  de  baby,  she  gwine  go,  too.  Giant  ain'  sayin'  nuttin', 
jes'  toss  his  long  hya'r  an'  stomp  his  gre't  footses  an' 
g'long  'bout  his  bizness. 

174 


THE    STOEY    OF    A    GIAXT 

"One  day  w'iles  de  gal  wuz  'way,  de  giant  lie  tueken 
de  baby  an'  putt  out  f  um  dar  tight'z  he  cu'd  go.  Wen 
de  gal  got  home  an'  foun'  de  baby  gone,  she  knowed  he 
done  tueken  hit,  an'  I  tell  you  dar  wuz  some  tall  cuttin'- 
up  'bout  den.  She  tear  her  hya'r  an'  cry  an'  scream 
an'  go  on  'twel  de  nabers  come  a-runnin'  an'  her  paw 
an'  her  maw  stood  dar  lookin'  on  an'  sayin' :  Tli-huh ! 
now  YOU  see  dat !  Ain'  we  toF  you  so  w'en  you  wanter 
ma'y  dat  good-f er-nuttin'  giant  ?  ^lebbe,  nex'  time,  you 
gwine  pay  some  'tention  ter  we-all.' 

"Gal  went  on  cry  in'  an'  wringin'  her  ban's,  an'  las' 
she  say  she  gwine  git  up  an'  foller  de  giant  an'  fin'  him 
ef  she  kin.  So  she  start  of5  an'  she  go  an'  she  go  an' 
she  go,  follerin'  de  giant's  tracks,  fer  dey  wuz  so  mon- 
st'ous  biof  deY  wuz  miditY  easY  ter  fin'.  She  went  thu 
de  woods  an'  de  fiel's  an'  up  de  hills  an'  down  de  hills, 
an'  de  wind  in  de  pines  kep'  mo'nin',  ^Gone !  gone !'  an' 
de  water  in  de  branches  call  out  OYer  de  stones,  ^Gone ! 
gone !'  an'  de  bu'ds  chirp  ^Gone !  gone  I'  an'  de  squ'l  up 
de  tree  drap  a  nut  down  at  her  an'  squeak  out  ^Gone ! 
gone!'  an'  ev'thing  keep  hit  up  dat-a-way  'twel  de 
ooman  wuz  plumb  'stracted. 

"Las',  w'en  she  wuz  clean  beat  out,  wid  her  footses 
sore  an'  her  ban's  all  scratch'  up  an'  bleedin'  f* um  de 
deYil's-shoe-string,  w'ich  some  folks  calls  hit  de  bamboo- 
brier,  she  see  de  giant's  tracks  on  one  side  de  branch  an' 
she  look  'cross  an'  see  dat  'tain'  come  out  on  tu'rr  side, 
an^  so  she  think  he  mus'  be  som'ers  roun'  dar.  She  look 
up  de  branch,  an'  sho'  'nuff,  dar  he  wuz,  settin'  on  a  rock 
in  the  midse  er  de  water  wid  de  chil'  in  his  arms.  She 
ain'  say  nuttin'.  jes'  turn  roun'  an'  steal  thu  de  woods 
'twel  she  come  out  right  across  f'um  w'ar  she  done  seed 

175 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

de  giant  settin'.  Bless  gracious !  he  wan't  dar,  not  him. 
He  knowed  w'at  she  wuz  up  ter  jes'  ez  well  ez  ef  some 
un  done  tol'  'im,  so  he  tucken  de  chi?  an'  made  one  big 
step  thu  de  water^,  swish  I  an'  sot  down  on  nu'rr  rock 
fu'ther  up.  De  gal  she  look  up  an'  see  him;  den  she 
try  de  same  trick  ag'in,  stealin'  up  on  him  thu  de  woods, 
but  he  jes'  showed  all  detoofs  in  his  haid  in  a  big  grin 
an'  shet  'em  to  wid  a  snap  an'  tucken  anu'rr  big  step 
thu  de  water  an'  sot  down  on  a  gre't  rock  wid  de  water 
a-fussin'  an'  a-foamin'  all  roun'  him  an'  de  baby,  Dat 
mek  her  fair'  wil'  an'  she  try  ter  fool  'im  ag'in.  But 
'tain'  so  easy  ter  fool  a  giant,  an'  he  kep"  on  tollin'  her 
an'  tollin'  her  up  de  stream  'twel  she  wuz  nigh  mos' 
daid  an'  hatter  gin  up  de  chase  an'  go  back.  All  de  way 
home  she  kep'  wringin'  her  han's  an'  cryin'  ^Gone  !  gone  V 
an'  de  wind  an'  de  water  an'  de  bu'ds  in  de  tree-tops 
dey  all  call  back  at  her  ^Gone !  gone !'  lak  dey  felt 
mighty  saw'y  fer  her. 

"De  nabers  dey  say  it  sarve  her  right  fer  not  bein' 
sassified  ter  ma'y  a  man  uv  her  own  people.  ^Small  man 
wan't  good  'nuff  fer  'er/  dey  ses ;  ^hatter  have  big  man, 
huh?  Eeckon  she  ain'  gwine  have  sech  big  notions  de 
nex'  time.' 

*^^Gal  she  useter  go  out  inter  de  woods  ev'y  now  an' 
den  ter  see  ef  she  kin  see  any  sign  er  de  giant  an'  de 
baby,  but  ev'y  time  she  come  back  cryin'  ^Gone !  gone !' 
an'  de  wind  an'  de  water  an'  de  bu'ds  arnser  her  back 
ev'y  time,  an'  you  kin  year  'em  sayin'  hit  down  ontwel 
dis  day  ef  you  jes'  stop  an'  stan'  still  an'  lissen  a  w'ile." 


176 


WHY  THE  BUZZAED  IS  BALD 

Little  Kit  was  fascinated  by  the  story  of  the  giant, 
possibly  because  it  reminded  him  of  his  favorite  story 
of  Jack-the-giant-killer.  He  climbed  up  on  Aunt  'Phro- 
ny^s  lap,  put  his  little  arms  about  her  neck,  and  laying 
his  soft,  pink  cheek  against  her  dusky  one,  begged  for 
^^anuzzer  giant  story."  Aunt  ^Phrony's  was  not  a  very 
responsive  nature,  but  she  could  not  resist  the  endear- 
ments of  the  pretty  baby-boy.  She  hugged  him  fast, 
stroking  his  curls  and  declaring  he  should  have  what 
he  wanted  if  she  had  to  "bust  her  breens"  to  recall  it  for 
him.  Her  brains  stood  the  strain,  however,  for  she 
soon  announced  to  the  little  boy,  "Now,  den,  my  lamb, 
my  honey-bud,  I  gwine  gin  you  a  story  'bout  de  race 
^twix'  Mistah  Deer  an'  Mistah  Tukkey,  an'  w^'ile  'tain' 
so  much  all  'bout  a  giant,  yit  dar's  a  giant  comes  inter 
hit. 

^^One  time  de  Deer  an'  de  Tuklvcy  wuz  gwine  have  a 
race.  Mos'  er  de  creeturs  thought  dish  yer  wuz  plumb 
reedikelous,  'kase  de  Deer  wuz  knowed  ez  de  swif'es' 
uv  all  de  beas'eses  an'  hit  seem  ter  dem  dat  Tukkey 
wuz  settin'  hisse'f  up  might'ly  ter  race  wid  sech  a  run- 
ner ez  w'at  de  Deer  wuz  knowed  ter  be.  Dey  ses,  ^Um- 
umph!  jes'  look  at  dat  feller's  li'l  haid  an'  you  kin  see 
w'y  he  talk  foolish ;  ain't  got  room  fer  mo'n  a  thimble- 
ful er  breens.     He  dunno  B  f'um  bull's  foot.     Struts 

177 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

roun'  an^  swells  hisse'f  up  an'  looks  mighty  proud  an' 
biggitty,  but  jes'  let  him  open  his  mouf  an'  talk  an'  you 
kin  look  in  thu  de  crack  an'  fin'  out  how  empty  his  haid 
is  inside/ 

"But  yit^  atter  all,  de  Tukkey  vraz  a  right  swif  bu'd 
in  dem  days,  an'  so  w'en  de  creeturs  all  met  toge'rr  ter 
bet  on  de  race  dar  wuz  some  un  'em  w'at  putt  der  bets  on 
de  Tukkey." 

"I  thought  betting  was  wrong/'  interrupted  little  Miss 
Janey,  with  her  most  knowing  air. 

"So  'tis,  so  'tis,"  said  Aunt  'Phrony.  "Is  you  uver 
year  me  say  'twuz  right?  Hits  plumb  wrong,  but  de 
creeturs  done  hit,  jes'  the  same  ez  men  does;  you  kain't 
'spec'  dem  ter  be  better  dan  w'at  men  is,  dough  I  ain' 
so  sho',  atter  all,  but  w'at  dey  is  better.  De  beas'eses  'ud 
be  'shame'  ter  kyar'  on  de  way  some  humans  does,  dat 
dey  would.  x4nyhows,  de  creeturs  sut'n'y  bet  on  dat  race. 
Ev'yb'dy  wuz  dar,  an'  some  er  de  fowels  betted  on  de 
Deer  an'  some  er  de  beas'eses  betted  on  de  Tukkev,  but 
mos'  er  de  bu'ds  wuz  fer  der  own  man,  Mistah  Tukkey, 
an'  mos'  er  de  beas'eses  wuz  fer  Mistah  Deer. 

"Mistah  Coon  wuz  struttin'  roun',  mighty  empaw- 
tant,  tryin'  ter  git  folks  ter  bet  wid  'im.  ^I  lay  you  five 
ter  one  on  Mistah  Deer;  come  on  any  un  you  dat  ain' 
'f card  ter  putt  up,'  sezee,  ^I'se  teckin'  all  de  bets  I  kin  git 
dis  mawnin'. 

"  '^Done !'  sez  de  Owl,  sezee,  an'  dey  bofe  went  an' 
han'ed  over  der  proputty  ter  de  wimmin-folks  dat  wuz 
teckin'  charge  er  all  de  stuff  whar  bin  betted;  dar  wuz 
a  gre't  pile  uv  hit  layin'  on  de  groun'  wid  de  wimmins 
keepin'  gyard  over  hit.  Lots  er  things  changed  ban's 
dat  day,  I  kin  tell  you.     Even  Mistah  Ant  done  brung 

178 


WHY    THE    BUZZAED    IS    BALD 

sTimp'n  ter  putt  up,  an'  'twuz  neener  mo'  ner  less  dan 
a  daid  caterpiller,  dough  you  cu'd  sca'cely  tell  hit  fer 
dat,  'kase  he  done  pull  out  ev'y  single  hya'r  so's't  he  cu'd 
drag  hit  down  de  hole  whar  he  live.'' 

"Pshaw !  Aunt  'Phrony,"  said  Xed,  "ants  don't  really 
do  that,  do  they  ?" 

Well,  1  dunno  w'at-all  ants  does,"  she  answered, 
hut  I  knows  I  saw  some  dat  I  wuz  watchin'  one  day 
do  dat  ve'y  thing.  Dey  brung  Mistah  Caterpillar  ter  de 
ant-hill  an'  tried  ter  drag  him  down  de  hole  wid  all  his 
fuzz  on,  an'  w'en  dey  foun'  dat  oon  do,  dey  jes'  natchelly 
went  ter  wu'k  an'  pulled  ev'y  hya'r  out,  an'  w'ats  mo' 
dey  lef  'em  layin'  in  two  straight  lines  on  each  side  er 
de  body,  an'  den  dey  drug  him  down  de  hole.  Dem  ants 
is  de  smartes'  creeturs  in  de  worl',  ef  dey  is  'mongs'  de 
li'les'. 

"Well,  now,  'bout  dat  race.  Ev'ybd'y  wuz  dar,  an' 
dar  wuz  a  gran'  talkin'  an'  buzzin'  an'  hummin'  f  um 
ev'y  sort  er  voice  dat  de  creeturs  talk  in,  an'  dar  wuz 
some  fussin'  an'  quoilin';  dat  sho'  ter  be  wharuver  any 
bettin'  gwine  on.  01'  Buzzu'd  he  wuz  settin'  up  on  a 
bare  limb  waitin'  ter  gin  de  wu'd  fer  de  race  ter  'mence, 
'kase  he  wuz  'p'inted  fer  ter  be  de.  jedge.  Jes'  den  up 
come  a  giant  ter  watch  de  race,  an'  he  j^ear  Mistah  Lion 
gwine  struttin'  an'  r'arin'  'bout,  an'  he  lissen  ter  w'at 
he  say. 

"  ^Hi,  yi !'  sez  de  Lion,  sezee,  ^I  ain'  gwine  putt  up 
none  er  my  propputty.  W'ats  a  li'l  bit  er  truck  lak  dat 
in  yon'  pile,  whar  no  pusson  wants,  atter  all?  I'se  so 
sho'  Mistah  Deer  gwine  beat  dat  I'se  willin'  ter  putt  up 
my  life  'gins'  any  fool  dat  '11  resk  his  life  on  dat  numb- 
skull,   Mistah   Wi'yum    Wil'-tukkey.     Eeckon    I    orter 

179 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

know  how  fas'  Mistah  Dapple-deer  kin  go ;  I  done  chase 
him  often  'nuff / 


"Nob'dy  spoke  up,  'kase  dey  wuz  all  mighty  'feard  er 
Mistah  Lion  an'  know  dey  ain'  got  much  chanct  w'en  hit 
come  ter  tryin'  der  life  'gins'  his.     So  ev'thing  wuz 

180 


WHY    THE    BUZZAED    IS    BALD 

mighty  quiet  all  ter  onct,  an'  Lion  he  kep'  on  roarin' 
an'  struttin'  an'  axin'  some  un  ter  bet  cler  life  wid  him. 
Jes'  den  'long  come  a  giant,  one'r  dese  yer  sho'-'nnff 
giants  whar  got  strenk  'nuff  ter  pull  up  a  hill  b}'  de 
roots  an'  walk  off  wid  hit  ef  de}^  wanster.  He  year  w'at 
Lion  sayin'  an'  he  tuck  up  de  bet.  '1  putts  my  life  on 
de  Tukkey/  sezee.  ^I'se  yo'  man,  Mistah  Lion,  an'  I 
don'  kyare  who  knows  hit,  dats  me.  I'll  putt  my  life 
'gins'  de  hull  kit  an'  bilin',  ef  you  sesso,  an'  not  turn  a 
hva'r  in  de  doin','  sezee. 

"Lion  he  gin  a  scawnful  sniff  dat  wuz  half  snort  an' 
half  roar,  an'  he  say,  he  do,  ^Well,  ef  dat  don'  beat  bob- 
tail !  Dish  yer  human  creetur  ter  set  hisse'f  up  'gin' 
me !  Seem  lak  I  sca'cely  kin  keep  f'um  diggin'  my 
claws  inter  him  dish  yer  ve'y  minnit.  Some  er  j^ou  fel- 
lers bes'  come  an'  hoi'  me  down  'twel  de  race  is  over,' 
sezee.  I  let  yer  know  dat  none  er  de  fellers  ^cepted  dat 
eenvite,  dough;  dey  lef  him  ter  hisse'f,  walkin'  up  an' 
down,  frailin'  de  air  wid  his,  tail  an'  wu'kkin'  his  claws 
in  an'  out  lak  he  'z  gittin'  good  an'  raidy. 

"Jes'  'bout  den  ol'  Jedge  Bizzy  Buzzu'd  he  gin  de 
wu'd  ter  start,  an'  den  Deer  an'  Tukkey  wuz  off  lak  shots, 
an'  ev'yb'dy  craned  der  necks  atter  'em  an'  fergot  all 
'bout  de  Lion  an'  de  giant.  At  fus'  Deer  he  wuz  way  in 
de  lead,  but  'long  'bout  middle-ways  er  de  co'se  Tukkey 
he  'mence  ter  creep  up  on  'im,  an'  bless  goodness,  he 
kotch  up  an'  kep'  even  wid  him  an'  jes'  'fo'  dey  got  ter  de 
een'  ef  he  ain'  come  out  a  deer's  lenk  ahaid  uv  him. 
All  dem  whar  bin  bettin'  on  de  Tukke}^  sont  up  a  gre't 
cheer,  an'  Jedge  Bizzy  Buzzu'd  he  say,  sezee,  T/adiz  an' 
gemmen,  feller  creeturs  er  dese  diggings,  you  done  seed 
fit  ter  'p'int  me  ter  de  'pawtant  office  er  jedge  on  dis 

181 


AT    THE    BTG    HOUSE 

'casion,  w'ich  office  I  clone  fill  ter  de  bes'  er  my  disabil'ty, 
an'  I  hope  hit  gwine  be  sassifact'ry  ter  yon  all  w'en  I 
'nonnce  dat  ow'  fren',  IMistah  Wi'yum  Wil'-tnkkey  is 
de  winner  er  dis  race,  all  fa'r  an'  squar',  comin'  ont 
jes'  one  lenk  ahaid  nv  ow'  'spected  fren',  Mistah  Dapple- 
deer.  You  is  all  now  reques'  ter  step  np  ter  de  pile  an' 
teck  yo'  goods  whar  you  betted  f er ;  de  ladiz  gwine  see  dat 
yon  git  w'at  comin'  ter  you.  I  don'  wanter  year  'bout 
none  er  you  snougin'  an'  snatchin'  w'at  don'  b'long  to 
you.  Le's  be  mannerly  'bout  dis.  You,  Mistah  Lion ! 
You,  Mistah  Giant !  Come  'way  f  um  dat  pile !  You 
got  no  bizness  dar.  Yo'  'greemint  wuz  ter  bet  yo'  lif  es  on 
dis,  an'  we-all  wanster  see  you  come  on  an'  fill  de  con- 
trac'.  I'se  settin'  yer  ter  see  fa'r  play  an'  I  gwine  do  hit, 
ef  I  hatter  be  turn  down  at  de  nex'  'leckshun  fer  doin' 
hit.  Dats  w'at  a  jedge  is  fer,  ter  see  fa'r  play,  an'  I 
wants  y'all  ter  know  hit.  Dis  way,  Mistah  Lion ;  dis  way, 
Mistah  Giant.' 

"Den  de  giant  he  step  fo'th  an'  he  say,  sezee,  ^Well, 
Mistah  Lion,  dish  yer's  whar  I  reckon  I  gotter  teck  yo' 
life.' 

"Lion  he  roar  hisse'f  hoarse  an'  bristle  up  his  mane, 
an'  he  say,  sezee,  ^Now  lissen  at  dat  fool  man !  He  ain' 
nuver  run  up  ag'in  my  claws  er  he  oon  talk  lak  dat. 
Jes'  wait  ontwel  I  hook  'em  inter  him  an'  you  '11  year 
him  laugh  on  tu'rr  side  uv  his  mouf.  Who  dat  you 
gwine  teck  his  life?  Me?  Now  I  stan's  befo'  all  dese 
folks  an'  I  axes  you  ter  come  on  an'  do  hit.' 

"Wid  dat  de  giant  he  retch  down  an'  pick  up  de  Lion 
by  de  scruff  er  de  neck  an'  dash  him  hard  on  de  groun', 
an'  w'en  dey  all  come  a-runnin',  dar  wuz  de  gre't  Mistah 
Lion  stretch  out  on  de  yearf,  stone  daid.    Dey  ail  mek 

182 


WHY    THE    BUZZARD    IS    BALD 

gre't  ^miration,  but  dev  ain^  was'e  many  tears  over  'im, 
'kase  dey  wiiz  all  so  "feard  iiv  him,  dat  mos'  uv  ^em  wuz 
glad  ter  git  shed  iiv  him. 

^^Jedge  BizzY  Buzzu'd  he  mek  'em  a  li'l  speech.  Ho 
say,  sezee,  ^My  fren's,  ef  I  ain'  stuck  ter  my  p'int  an' 
done  my  jooty,  dish  yer  ramp  in',  r'arin',  rippin',  roar  in*, 
boasin',  tearin'  creetur  'ud  be  livin'  dis  ve'y  mi  unit 
ter  set  y'all  shakin'  an'  quakin'.  Dars  no  'nyin'  dat 
fac*;  I  wants  y'all  ter  'member  dat  nex'  time  you 
has  'casion  ter  'p'int  anu'rr  jedge.  An'  now  I  mus' 
come  down  offen  dis  perch  an'  tell  y'all  "so  long,"  'kase  I 
sees  some  mighty  p'tickler  bizness  waitin'  fer  me  over 
yonner  in  dat  fur  fiel'.' 

"Wid  dat  Jedge  Buzzu'd  flopped  his  wings  an'  flowed 
off  an'  lef  de  creeturs  ter  talk  de  marter  over,  an'  I 
boun'  you  der  tongues  wagged  scannelous.  De  fowels 
whar  betted  on  Mistah  Dapple-deer  an'  los'  wuz  plumb 
'stunded  wid  de  'cision  Jedge  Buzzu'd  mek  in  de  case. 
^Lawdv,  lawdv  I'  dev  sez,  ^te  think  er  dat  ol'  ninkum 
settin'  up  ter  know  mo'n  we-all  an'  passin'  jedgments  fer 
us  I  We'll  be  switched  ef  we  set  down  unner  no  sech  ez 
dat.  Xow  see  yer,  w'at  we  gwine  do  'bout  dis  ?  j\Iistah 
Tarr3'-long  Tarr'pin,  you  orter  be  de  one  ter  teck  dat 
fowel  down,  'kase  you  done  owe  him  a  gredge  uver  sence 
de  time  he  mek  de  'cision  'gins'  you  w'en  you  race  wid 
de  hummin'-bu'd.  Mistah  Lion  he  daid  an'  gone;  he 
kain't  sottle  Jedge  Buzzu'd's  hash  fer  him,  so  now  we 
gwine  putt  ow'  'pennance  on  you.' 

"Tarr'pin  he  study  a  w'ile  an'  den  he  say,  ^Gemmen, 
I  wish  you  ain'  spring  dis  on  me  so  suddintly.  Seem 
lak  hit  drive  all  de  idees  outen  my  haid.  You  orter 
tol'  me  'bout  dis  sooner,  den  mebbe  I  mous^hter  had 

183 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

sump'n  raicl3\  Y'all  have  ter  wait  now  ontwel  I  sees 
my  way  cle'r.  Time,  time,  gimme  time;  seem  lak  I 
ain'  niiver  had  'luiff  er  clat  yit.  But  ef  you'll  do  dat, 
I'll  promuss  ter  do  de  bes'  I  kin,  an'  dats  all  I  ken  do.' 

"Dev  sez  to  'im,  'Teck  all  de  time  dev  is,  Mistah 
Tarry-long,  jes'  so  yon  fix  him  out  in  de  een'.  Grit 
yo'se'f  a  good  raidy  an'  den  whu'l  in  an'  teck  him  down 
so  fur  't  he'll  know  jes'  who  he  is.' 

"Wid  dat  dey  all  up  an'  go  home,  an'  f  um  dat  time 
on  Tarry-long  he  study  an'  he  study  an'  he  study  'bout 
Jedge  Bizzy  Buzzu'd.  Las'  one  day  he  come  'long  an' 
seed  ol'  Buzzu'd  layin'  fas'  asleep  in  de  heat  er  de  day, 
teckin'  a  noonin'  under  a  tree.  He  erope  up  closter  an' 
he  year  Buzzu'd  snorin'  'wav  lak  a  steam  inlin'  an'  ev'v 
now  an'  den  lettin'  out  a  li'l  puff  er  a  snort.  ^De  laws 
an'  de  prophits !'  sezee,  'lissen  at  dat  ol'  man,  'nuff  ter 
'sturb  de  hull  naberhoods.  Nemmine,  suits  mv  time 
prezackly.' 

"He  sot  dar  a  w'ile  laughin'  at  Jedge  Buzzu'd,  'kase 
he  look  plumb  reedikelous  wid  his  footses  stickin'  up  in 
de  air  an'  his  mouf  wide  open.  Den  he  crope  up  an"  he 
crope  up  an'  he  try  ol'  Buzzu'd  by  ticklin'  'im  on  de  toes, 
but  de  Jedge  wuz  so  fas'  asleep  dat  he  jes'  drord  'em  up 
a  li'l  an'  gin  a  extry  loud  puff  an'  den  went  on  'tendin' 
ter  his  breathin'.  Den  Tarr'pin  he  crope  up  closter  yit 
an'  tuck  a  hull  han'ful  er  li'l  insec's  an'  putt  'em  on 
Buzzu'd's  haid,  an'  den  he  crope  off  an'  went  home  fas' 
ez  he  cu'd,  w'ich  'twan't  no  faster  dan  de  law  'low. 

"Jedge  Buzzu'd  sut'n'y  had  a  time  wid  his  haid.  Dem 
norty  li'l  insec's  ain'  lef  him  no  peace  day  ner  night, 
an'  de  long  an'  de  shawt  uv  hit  wuz  dat  he  los'  ev'y 
hya'r  outen  his  haid,  an'  he  bin  gwine  roun'  bald-haided 

184 


WHY    THE    BUZZAED    IS    BALD 

uver  sence.  You  kin  see  'im  mos'  any  day  in  de  ^ear 
perch'  np  in  a  oF  daid  tree,  wid  his  haid  all  bare  ter  de 
sun  an'  de  wind  an'  de  rain,  lookin'  mighty  sollumcholly 
an'  thinkin'  over  dem  ol'  days  w'en  he  ac'  de  part  er 
jedge  fer  de  ereeturs  an'  dey  snatch  him  bald-haided  fer 
his  pains." 


185 


MIS'  GOOSE  DECEIVES  ME.  BEAR 

The  children,  not  content  with  the  society  of  Aimt 
Nancy  in  the  morning,  when  she  made  their  toilets,  or 
in  the  evening,  when  she  put  them  to  bed,  used  to  make 
her  a  visit  now  and  then  at  her  cabin.  One  morning 
they  found  her  busy  carrying  in  pumpkins  from  the 
little  field  behind  her  house.  Ned  thought  it  would  be 
fun  to  kick  them  along  like  footballs,  but  Nancy  said 
that  pumpkins  were  made  for  eating,  not  for  kicking, 
and  that  unless  the  children  went  about  it  in  the  right 
way  she  did  not  care  about  their  help.  Janey,  with  a 
shrewd  eye  to  business,  said  they  would  all  three  turn 
to  and  help,  if  she  would  promise  to  tell  them  a  story 
when  the  pumpkins  were  all  stored.  The  bargain  was 
clinched,  and  four  pairs  of  hands  made  short  work  of 
the  pumpkins.  Then  they  all  sat  down  in  the  doorway 
of  the  little  cabin,  and  Aunt  Nancy  said  that  the  pump- 
kins had  reminded  her  of  a  tale  in  which  Mr.  Bear  got 
fooled  by  Mis'  Goose. 

"You  chillen  done  yearn  tell,"  she  began,  "dat  gooses 
is  kind  er  foolish,  silly  sort  er  fowels,  an'  I  wanter  tell 
you  right  yer  an'  now  dat  dey  got  heap  mo'  sense  dan 
some  er  de  folks  whar  calls  names  at  'em,  an'  ez  fer  de 
ganders,  I'se  yit  ter  see  de  human  man  teck  de  kyare  uv 
his  wife  an'  fambly  dat  dat  ol'  gander,  yonner,  do  uv 
his'n.    He  he'p  de  goose  ter  bull'  her  nes',  an'  dey  teck 

186 


MIS'    GOOSE    DECEIVES    ME.    BEAE 

some  or  de  down  f'um  der  breastes  an'  line  de  nes'^  jes 
ez  wo'm  an'  white  an'  pooty  ez  kin  be,  an'  den  she  set  on 
hit,  an'  he  keeps  gyard  at  de  hen-house  do'  an'  ef  any 
pusson  come  near  he  beat  his  wings  at  'em  an'  do  his  bes' 
ter  drive  'em  'way.  An'  w'en  she  go  off  ter  eat  an'  res' 
husse'f  he  jes'  natchelly  squat  down  on  de  aigs  an'  keep 
'em  wo'm  ontwel  she  git  back.  Mebbe  y'all  has  yearn  de 
gooses  cry  out  in  de  night.  Well,  dat's  w'en  dey  change 
gyard,  for  dey  sets  a  watch  all  thu  de  night  an'  w'en- 
uver  dey  changes,  de  watchman  gins  out  a  cur'ous  cry 
ter  say  dey's  changin'  gyard  an'  ev'ything  gwine  on 
all  right.  Yas,  suh,  gooses  ain'  de  gooses  folks  bin 
callin'  'em  all  dese  'ears.  An'  I  let  you  know  dat  big 
an'  lumbersome  ez  Mistah  B'ar  wuz,  dar  wuz  a  time 
w'en  Mis'  Goose  got  plumb  de  bes'  uv  'im. 

"She  wuz  gwine  waddlin'  'long  one  day  wid  her  chil- 
len  all  strung  out  in  a  long  line  behime  her.  De  gos- 
lin's  wuz  right  young  an'  she  wuz  teckin'  'em  down  ter 
de  branch  fer  ter  I'arn  'em  ter  swim.  She  wuz  mighty 
proud  uv  'em,  an'  she  wuz  gwine  long  wid  her  haid 
r'ared  up,  shooin'  'em  ev'y  now  an'  den  ter  keep  'em  in 
de  straight  paf,  an'  cacklin'  so's't  ev'yb'dy  cu'd  year  'er : 
^You  Fluff!  You  Puff!  You  Buff!  You  year  me? 
I  want  y'all  ter  keep  in  de  paf.  Yon's  a  dog ;  you  better 
stick  clost  ter  me  ef  3^ou  know  w'at  good  fer  you !'  So 
Fluff  an'  Puff  an'  Buff  an'  all  de  res'  er  de  chillen 
dey  turnt  der  toes  in  an'  went  waddlin'  'long  in  a 
straight  line  down  ter  de  branch. 

"'Bout  dat  time  dey  met  up  wid  ol'  man  B'ar.  Re 
wuz  stayin'  out  in  de  woods  all  by  his  lonesome,  an' 
w'en  he  see  Mis'  Goose  gwine  'long  wid  all  dat  nice 
fambly  ter  keep  her  comp'ny,  he  git  strucken  wid  de 

187 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

notion  dat  lie  want  a  fanibly,  too,  ter  teck  roim'  wid  'im 
an'  chiir  him  np  an'  drive  'way  de  low-downs.  So  he 
s'lute  Mis'  Goose  mighty  p'litely,  tetchin'  his  paw  ter 
his  hat  an'  sayin',  '^Mawnin',  Mis'  Goose;  mawnin', 
ma'am ;  I  hope  I  sees  yon  weU/ 

"Slie  gin  a  li'l  hiss  an'  spread  her  wings  an'  done 
lak  she  gwine  rim  at  'im,  'kase  she  wan't  'feard  er  no 
pusson,  an'  she  mighty  tetchy  w'en  she  lookin'  atter 
her  chillen.  But  pres'n'y  she  see  dat  de  ol'  man  wanter 
be  fren'ly  wid  her,  so  she  putt  her  wings  down  an'  bob 
her  haid,  an'  she  say,  she  do,  ^How  you  come  on  yo'se'f, 
Mistah  B'ar  ?' 

"He  'low,  he  do,  dat  he  wuz  kind  er  ailified,  an'  dat 
he  feel  de  need  uv  a  fambly  ter  keep  him  f um  gittin' 
lonesome.  ^W'en  I  seed  you  comin'  down  de  paf  wid 
dat  nice,  big  fambly  er  yo'n.  Mis'  Goose,'  sezee,  H  ses 
ter  myse'f,  sez  I,  "Dat's  de  kyore  I  bin  needin'  fer  dese 
yer  low  sperrits  er  mine,  dough  I  ain'  bin  knowin'  w'at 
'twuz.  I  gwine  ax  her,  dis  ve'y  minnit,  please  ma'am, 
ter  tell  me  how  I  kin  git  me  a  fambly  lak  her'n."  '  Mis' 
Goose  she  turnt  her  haid  roun'  on  de  side  an'  cut  one 
eye  up  at  'im,  de  way  gooses  does — 'kase  dey  nuver 
seem  ter  look  at  you  outen  bofe  eyes  at  onct — an'  she 
see  he  mean  w'at  he  say ;  so  she  mek  arnser,  she  do, 
^Well,  suh,  I  done  hatch  out  dese  chillen  f'um  de  aigs.' 

"  ^Is  dasso?'  sezee.  '^Wellum,  I  be  might'ly  'bleeged 
ef  you  tell  me  whar  I  kin  git  me  some  aigs.' 

"Right  dar  Mis'  Goose  wuz  tucken  wid  a  notion  dat 
mek  her  laugh  an'  laugh  on  de  eenside,  so's  she  sca'cely 
cu'd  stan'  on  one  foot  lak  she  bin  doin' ;  she  hatter  putt 
bofe  on  de  groun'  so's't  she  kin  stan'  stiddy.  But  she 
ain'  dyare  laugh  out  loud,  an'  she  nuver  even  smile 

188 


*'yek  ])E  aics,  mistah  b'ar" 


I 


MIS'    GOOSE    DECEIVES    MR.    BEAR 

w'ile  she  tell  him:  'Lawdy!  lawdy!  Mistah  B'ar,  I 
swan  ter  man  I  I  knows  de  ve'y  contrapshun  whar 
gwine  suit.  Over  yon*  in  de  fiel'  is  a  hull  nes"ful  er 
aigs  jes'  waitin'  fer  some  un  ter  set  on  'em.  I  wish  I"d 
bin  able  ter  have  unnertooken  dat  job  myse'f,  but  you 
see  my  ban's  right  full  a'raidy  wid  dese  yer  twelve  li'l 
chillen  er  mine,  an'  I'se  feelin'  right  po'ly.  too.  f  um 
settin'  so  long  on  de  aigs.  Done  los'  my  flaish,  sub, 
done  los'  my  flaish,  an'  my  appentite  a  in'  w'at  'twuz. 
I'se  'bleeged  ter  be  hones'  wid  you,  sub,  an'  let  you 
know  dat  dish  yer  settin's  hard  wu'k,  sub,  dat  hit  is.' 

"B"ar  he  say,  'Bless  yo'  soul.  Mis'  Goose,  I  ain'  look 
ter  git  me  nuttin'  in  dish  yer  suff'rin',  dyin'  worl'  wid- 
out  I  wu'k  fer  hit.  an'  ef  a  delikin  ladv  lak  you  kin 
stan'  hit,  I  reckon  I  kin,  big  an'  strong  ez  w'at  I  is.' 

"Mis'  Goose  she  say,  'Well,  come  on  den,  ef  3^ou  sesso,' 
an'  she  tuck  an'  led  deway  ter  a  fiel'  whar  dar  wuz  a 
pile  er  pun'kins  in  a  fence  cornder,  an'  she  say,  she  do : 
'Yer  de  aigs,  Mistah  B'ar.  Xow,  suh,  lemme  see  you 
set  on  'em.  You  gotter  kiver  'em  ev'y  one  wid  yo'  body 
an'  keep  'em  nice  an'  wo'm,  else  dey  ain'  gwine  hatch 
out,  an'  you  have  all  yo'  trouble  fer  nuttin'.' 

"Or  man  B'ar  he  squat  down  on  de  pun'kins  an'  he 
quile  hisse'f  fus'  dis-a-way  an'  den  dat-a-way,  an'  dror 
his  laigs  up  an'  den  putt  'em  down,  an'  den  git  up  an' 
tu'n  clean  roun'  an'  squat  ag'in.  Jes'  w'en  he  think  he'z 
all  fix',  yer  come  a  pun'kin  rollin'  out  fus'  one  side  an' 
den  tu'rr.  ^lis'  Goose  she  dyin'  ter  laugh,  but  she  ain' 
dast  ter.  an'  las'  she  whu'l  in  an'  he'p  git  him  fix'.  Den 
she  go  off  down  de  paf  wid  her  fambly,  laughin'  so't 
she  kain't  speak,  w'en  she  met  up  wid  ^lis'  ^lolly  Cotton- 
tail.   Mis'  Molly  wait  a  li'l,  an'  den  she  say :    'You  is  a 

189 


AT    THE    BIG   HOUSE 

sho'-'nuff  goose^  sho'  nuff !  Wyn't  you  speak  up  lak  you 
had  some  sense  an'  lemme  know  de  joke?^ 

"Las'  Mis'  Goose  tell  'er,  an'  she  yell  an'  she  holler 
nn'  hoi'  outer  her  sides.  She  ain'  stop  tcr  say  good-by, 
but  jes'  went'  stavin'  long  de  paf  'twel  she  come  ter  de 
fence  cornder  an'  seed  ol'  B'ar.  She  let  on  she  ain' 
know  w'at  he'z  up  to,  an'  she  say,  'Heyo,  Mistah  B'ar, 
w'at  you  doin'  dar,  suh,  layin'  in  de  fence  cornder  dis 
time  er  day?' 

"He  say:  ''Jes'  res'in'  myse'f,  Mis'  Molly;  jes'  res'in' 
myse'f.  Done  come  a  fur  ways  an'  I'se  tryin'  ter  ketch 
my  wind  ag'in.' 

"She  say,  sez  she,  ^Dis  a  mighty  fine  day ;  I  wish  you 
come  fer  a  walk  wid  me/ 

"He  say  he  too  tired,  an'  den  she  say  she  wait  ^twel 
he  git  res'ed.  He  baig  her  not  ter  teck  so  much  trouble, 
an'  she  say  'twan't  no  trouble  't  all,  an'  dey  run  on  lak 
dat,  pow'ful  p'lite,  but  all  de  time  B'ar  he  wuz  pestered 
ter  know  how  he  gwine  git  shed  uv  her,  an'  he  wuz 
'feard  ev'y  minnit  dat  a  pim'kin  wuz  gwine  roll  out 
f'um  beneaf  him. 

"All  de  time  Molly  Cotton-tail  sca'ce  kin  keep  her 
face  straight,  but  las'  she  got  tired  er  de  fun  an'  putt 
out  fer  home,  tellin'  him  she  be  back  to-morrer  ter  see 
ef  he  wuz  res'ed  up. 

"Sho'  'nuff,  back  she  earned,  an'  she  say,  sez  she, 
^Heyo,  Mistah  B'ar,  I  stopped  'long  ter  tell  you  I  done 
foun'  a  tree  up  de  road  a  mile  er  so,  an'  hit's  dat  chock 
full  er  honey  dat  'twon't  hoi'  nu'rr  drap,  an'  ef  you 
sesso,  I'll  go  right  'long  wid  you  an'  show  you  de  way.^ 

"B'ar  he  lick  his  chops  an'  do  lak  he  gwine  git  up. 
Den  he  'member  de  pun'kins  an'  drap  back,  an'  he  say, 

190 


MIS'    GOOSE    DECEIVES    MR.    BEAR 

he  do:  'Thanky  ma'am,  Mis'  Molly,  thanky  ma'am. 
I'se  feelin'  too  painyfied  ter  go  wid  you  dis  mawnin^ 
call  roun'  ag'in,  ma'am,  an'  I  go  wid  you,  sho',  'kase 
you  knows  I  is  'tickler  fond  uv  honey.^ 

"Molly  she  hang  roun',  an'  B'ar  he  try  ter  git  her 
ter  g'long,  but  she  tell  him  she  ain'  press'  fer  time,  an' 
dat  her  ol'  man  an'  de  chillens  gwine  keep  'twel  she  git 
home.  Ev'y  day  she  come  back  an'  ax  him  is  he  well 
'nuff  ter  go  atter  de  honey,  an'  ev'y  day  he  say,  he  do, 
^You  mus'  'scuse  me  dis  mawnin',  ^lis'  Molly,  you  sho' 
mus';  de  sperrit's  willin'  but  de  flaish  mighty  weak,, 
ma'am,  mighty  weak.' 

"Las'  she  say,  sez  she,  ^I  b'lieve  you,  suh ;  you  sut'n'y 
has  growed  weak  an'  thin  an'  pindlin' ;  you  is  nuttin^ 
mo'  dan  de  shadder  er  Mistah  B'ar.' 

"B'ar  he  gin  a  groan,  'kase  he  knowed  'twuz  de  trufe. 
He  ain'  bin  off  de  nes'  ter  git  him  vittles,  'kase  he  'feard 
de  aisrs  mouaht  fjit  col',  an'  he  wuz  nidi  'bout  starved. 
He  ain'  dast  ter  move,  neener,  fer  fear  de  aigs  roll  f'um 
un'need.  Hit  'pear  ter  him  he  kain't  stan'  hit  ter  keep 
still  nu'rr  minnit.  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail  knowed  dat 
right  well,  but  she  kep'  on  naggin'  an'  naggin'  at  him 
'twel  he  say  ^Drat  de  ooman,  I  wish  I  ain'  nuver  think 
'bout  gittin'  me  a  fambly.'    • 

"Las',  one  day,  he  kain't  stan'  hit  no  longer  an'  he 
riz  up  an'  turnt  hisse'f  roun',  but  he  wuz  so  weak  dat 
he  jes'  fell  back  outer  de  pun'kins,  an'  some  uv  'em  roll 
out  f'um  un'need  an'  de  res'  wuz  all  squshed  up,  'kase 
dey'd  'menced  ter  git  sof  by  dat  time.  B'ar  he  groan  an' 
he  moan  an'  he  cry  ah'  he  roll  on  de  groun'  an'  dig  bofe 
fistes  in  his  eyes.  'Bout  den  Mis'  Molly  come  'long  an' 
year  de  gwines-on,  an'  she  stop  an'  hang  over  de  fence 

191 


AT    THE    BIG    HOrSE 

Hendin'  lak  she  mighty  saw'y.  She  sa}^  sez  she,  ^Lawsy, 
]\[istah  B'ar,  w'at  does  I  see,  suh;  an'  w'at  is  de  'casion 
UY  all  dis  misTy  ?' 

"  ^0  lawd !  0  lawd  I'  sezee,  ^my  po'  fambly ;  my  po' 
famblv !'  an'  wid  dat  he  bus'  out  ter  crvin'  asf'in.  Wen 
he  git  so's't  he  kin  talk,  he  say:  'Mis'  Molly  Cot- 
ton-tail, I  ax  you,  ma'am,  fer  ter  look  at  dem  aigs  whar 
I  bin  settin'  on  all  dis  time,  an'  whar  I  'lowed  I  gwine 
hatch  out  inter  a  nice  li'l  fambly.  You  sees  fer  yo'se'f 
how  mos'  uv  'em  all  sqush'  up,  an'  de  res'  done  roll  'way 
f 'um  me  an'  git  stone  col'.  An'  yer  me  all  hongry  an' 
thu'sty  an'  wo'  ter  de  bone,  all  fer  nuttin'.' 

"At  dat  he  crv  mo'  louder  dan  befo'.  Den  Mis'  Mollv 
ain'  try  ter  keep  in  no  longer.  She  lean  up  ag'in  de 
fence  an'  she  yell  an'  she  holler.  ^Hev,  lawd !' 
sez  she,  ^he  call  dem  aigs  I  dem  big  ol'  rotten  pun'- 
kins  is  aigs !  Well,  live  an'  I'arn,  sez  I !  Yer  me  bin 
'lowin'  all  dese  'ears  dat  dem  things  wuz  pun'kins, 
an'  now  I  fine  dev  is  aiofs.  Ef  I'd  a-knowed  w'at  you 
wuz  up  ter  all  dis  time,  suh,  I'd  a-bringed  you  some  er 
dat  honey  whar  I  bin  tellin'  you  'bout,  'kase  you  mus' 
be  mighty  hongry  by  dis  time.  Dish  yer  settin'  bizness 
is  mighty  tryin',  I  year  tell,  so  tryin'  dat  de  mens  mos' 
in  gin'ly  leaYCs  hit  ter  de  ladiz.  Lemme  know  nex' 
time  you  gwine  hatch  out  a  fambly,  an'  I  try  ter  he'p 
you  out  in  de  marter  er  Yittles.  You'se  a  plumb  skil- 
lintin ;  you  sho'  is  !' 

"01'  B'ar  gittin'  kind  er  rile  up  by  dat  time,  an'  do 
lak  he  gwine  teck  after  her.  She  lit  out  f'um  dat,  but 
she  see  he  wuz  too  weak  ter  foller  her,  so  she  run  back 
for  a  minnit  an'  stuck  her  haid  thu  de  fence,  an'  sez 
she,  kind  er  roll  in'  one  eye  on  de  pun'kins  an'  one  on 

192 


MIS'    GOOSE    DECEIVES    MR.    BEAR 

liim:  ^I"m-iimp]i !  ^Tistah  B'ar,  (11^  siit'n'y  is  a  pity, 
'kase  ef  dcm  aig?  had  on'v  hatch  out,  yo'  fambly 
moughter  bin  some  punlins,  sho'  'nuff.' " 


19 


o 


ME.  BEAR  TEXDS  STOEE  FOR  MR.  FOX 

"Aunt  Xancy,"  said  Xed^  after  the  story  of  the  hear 
and  the  pumpkins^,  "I  wish  you'd  tell  me  what  relation 
Mollv  Cotton-tail  was  to  Mr.  Hare." 

"Relation?"  she  asked;  "you  mean  w'at  a-kin  wuz 
she?  Xo  kin'  'i  all,  'scusin'  by  ma'iage;  ^kase  she  wuz 
his  wife,  chil' ;  an'  atter  she  live  wid  him  so  long  time, 
she  got  ez  trickish  ez  w'at  he  wuz,  an'  dat's  sayin'  a 
heap.  She  wuz  a  mighty  smart  ooman,  an'  she  knowed 
how  ter  read  an'  write,  an',  w'at's  mo',  she  cu'd  mum- 
mick  de  writin'  er  mos'  any  pusson  she  wanter,  an'  dat 
come  nigh  gittin'  her  inter  a  hull  passel  er  trouble 
onct,  but  she  wuz  so  slick  she  wiggle  out  jes'  in  time. 
Hit  wuz  lak  dis :  Fox  he  done  tried  his  ban'  at  huntin' 
an'  fishin'  an'  farmin'  widout  mekin'  much  uv  a  fist  at 
any  un  'em,  an'  las'  he  set  him  up  a  li'l  sto'  at  de  cross- 
roads; one'r  dese  yer  sto's  whar  de  folks  brings  a  li'l 
haid-turn  er  truck  an'  trades  hit  fer  bacon  an'  meal. 

"One  day  Mis'  ]\[olly  Cotton-tail,  she  done  runned 
outer  sump'n  ter  eat,  an'  de  chillen  wuz  hongry  an' 
baiggin'  fer  vittles.  She  say  to  husse'f :  ^Dese  chillen 
gwine  run  me  'stracted.  I  hatter  stay  home  yer  an' 
lissen  at  all  der  bodderment  w'iles  der  paw  goes  cavawt- 
in'  roun'  de  kyountry  enj'yin'  hisse'f  might'ly.  'Tain' 
fair.  But  nemmine,  I  gotter  feed  dese  chillen,  an'  I 
knows  w'at  I  gwine  do.' 

194 


UTl.  BEAR  TEXDS  STOEE  FOR  MR.  FOX 

"Wid  dat  she  sot  down  an'  tucken  a  piece  er  paper 
an'  a  ink-bottle  an'  a  quill,  an'  she  stuck  de  quill  behime 
one  year  an'  sot  dar  studyin'  an'  runnin'  her  fingers 
thu  her  hya'r  'twel  she  got  de  marter  all  fix  up  in  her 
niin'.  Den  she  tucken  de  quill  an'  writ  a  order  ter 
Mistah  Fox  fer  a  bag  er  meal  an'  a  shoulder  er  meat, 
an'  she  tuck  an'  signed  Mis'  Fox's  name  to  hit,  jes' 
'zackly  de  way  she  done  seed  Mis'  Fox  write  her  name 
one  time.  Den  she  sot  down  in  de  do'  an'  wait  fer  some 
pusson  ter  pass  by.  Fus'  news  you  know,  yer  come  Mis- 
tah B'ar  amblin'  down  de  road.  By  dat  time  he  fergit 
how  Mis'  Molly  done  laugh  at  him  'bout  de  pun'kins, 
an'  w'en  she  mek  her  manners  to  him,  nice  an'  proper, 
he  arnser  mighty  p'litely.  She  ain'  knowin'  how  he 
gwine  treat  'er,  but  w'en  she  see  'twuz  all  right  she 
'mence  muchin'  him,  'kase  she  wuz  a  gre't  ban'  ter  flatter 
folks,  an'  w'en  she  git  things  wu'k  up  ter  de  proper 
p'int,  she  say :  ^  'Scuse  me,  Mistah  B'ar,  I  is  'sentially 
a  backwu'd  ooman  an'  I  hates  ter  ax  favers,  but  my 
chillen  is  hongry  an'  no  vittles  in  de  house  an'  der  paw 
f'um  home.  I  be  might'ly  'bleeged,  suh,  ef  you  leave 
dis  order  fer  me  at  de  cross-roads  sto'  an'  bring  me  de 
vittles  on  yo'  way  back.' 

"B'ar  he  sav  'twon't  be  no  trouble,  an'  he  tucken  de 
order  an'  lef  hit  at  de  sto'  an'  den  got  de  bacon  an' 
meal  on  de  way  back  an'  fetched  hit  ter  Mis'  Molly. 
'Twan't  long  'fo'  'twuz  all  et  up,  an'  'twan't  long,  neener, 
'fo'  Mistah  Fox  fin'  out  de  vittles  w^uz  lef  wid  Mis' 
Molly  stidder  wid  his  own  ol'  ooman,  an'  he  'clar'  he 
gwine  git  even  wid  'er  fer  forgin'  his  ol'  ooman's  name. 

"Mis'  Hyar'  she  ain'  knowin'  he  foun'  her  out,  go  one 
day  she  go  inter  de  sto'  ter  trade,  biggitty  ez  you  please, 

195 


AT    THE    BlCr    HOUSE 

an^  he  up  an'  ax  'er  fer  ter  keep  sto'  a  minnit  w'iles  he 
step  out.  She  kind  er  smell  a  mouse,  an'  she  tell  him 
she  ain'  got  time  fer  ter  tarry.  Den  he  tucken  her  b}- 
de  scruff  er  de  neck  an^  tie  her  up  good  an'  tight,  an'  he 
sa}^  sezee:  '^Uh-huh!  Forge  my  ol'  ooman's  name, 
will  you  ?  Eat  up  my  meal  and  bacon,  hey  ?  Trash  er 
de  worP !  I  gwine  go  out  an'  git  me  a  cowhide  an'  gin 
you  de  bes'  larrupin'  you  uver  has  had  er  uver  is  gwine 
ter  git.' 

"He  went  out  an'  lef  'er  dar  studyin'  'bout  de  fix 
she  wuz  in,  an'  mos'  pussons  'ud  'a  felt  skeerder  an' 
skeerder  ev'y  minnit,  but,  bless  yo'  soul.  Mis'  Hyar' 
wan't  faze'  by  hit.  She  start  in  ter  hummin'  one'r  dese 
gaily  ol'  darnsin'  chunes  an'  pattin'  wid  her  footses, 
^kase  her  han's  wuz  tied  behime  her.  Las'  she  bus'  out 
at  de  top  UY  her  voice  inter  de  wu'ds  er  de  song : 

^Sam,  Sam  wuz  a  funny  oV  man. 
Fried  his  meat  in  a  fryin  pan. 
Combed  his  haid  wid  a  wagon-wheel. 
Died  wid  de  toofache  in  his  heel/ 

"  'Bout  dis  time  some  un  come  sa'nterin'  down  de 
road  an'  year  de  noise  an'  poke  his  haid  in  de  do.'  Who 
shu'd  dat  be  but  Mistah  B'ar,  an'  he  say,  sezee,  *Hey, 
Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail,  w'at  de  meanin'  er  all  dis  racket, 
an'  w'at  you  doin'  all  snarl'  up  in  dat  rope  ?' 

"  ^Well,'  she  'low,  ^I  come  yer  ter  git  some  colamel 
fer  my  sick  chil',  an'  Mistah  Sly-fox  he  up  an'  tell  me 
he  gwine  gin  a  party  at  his  house  to-night,  an'  he  ax 
me  fer  ter  stay  an'  jine  in  de  fun,  an'  I  'low  I  kain't, 
^kase  I  hatter  git  back  ter  my  chil',  an'  he  'low  dat  dey 

196 


MR.  BEAR  TEXDS  STORE  FOR  MR.  FOX 

kain't  git  long  widout  my  comp'ny  nohows,  an'  clat  he 
believe  I'se  too  stuck  up  ter  "sociate  wid  his  fambly  an' 
jes'  mek  up  dat  tale  'bout  de  sickness  er  my  chil'.  I 
kep'  on  tellin'  him  I  kain't  stay,  an'  las'  I  say  I  go  home 
an'  teck  de  cohimel  wid  me  an'  see  how  de  chil'  is,  an' 
come  back.  But  he  'low,  he  did,  dat  a  bu"d  in  de  han' 
wuz  wuf  two  in  de  bush,  so  he  tucken  de  rope  an'  tie  me 
up  dis-a-way  'twel  night.  Den  he  step  out  ter  mek 
some  reddyments  fer  de  party,  an'  he  ax  me  fer  ter  mind 
de  sto'  w'iles  he's  gone.  Yer  I  is,  settin'  yer  tryin'  ter 
keep  my  min'  of?  ni}'  po'  sick  chil'  by  singin'  an' 
knockin'  time.  You  ain'  nuver  bin  a  mammy,  Mistah 
B'ar,  er  3'ou'd  know  jes'  how  I'm  feelin'  dis  ve'y  minnit,' 
an'  right  dar  she  let  two  big  tears  fall  down  on  de  fio', 
ker-splash ! 

"B'ar  felt  mighty  saw'y  w'en  he  see  dat ;  mens  is 
right  easy  tucken  in  by  a  few  li'l  ol'  tears,  an'  he  say 
dat  he  ontie  her,  ef  she  say  de  wu'd,  an'  let  her  go. 
She  say,  ^Yas,  suh,  but  Mistah  Fox  he  done  'spec'  me  ter 
see  dat  nuttin'  git  stole  outer  de  sto';  w'at  I  gwine  do 
'bout  dat  ?' 

"B'ar  he  'low  dat  he  ain'  min'  tendin'  sto'  a  li'l,  an' 
she  tell  him,  'Go  ahaid,  den,  an'  ontie  me.'  Den  she  say 
he  better  let  her  tie  him  up  in  de  same  place  so's't  he 
kain't  change  his  min'  'bout  stayin'  fer  de  party.  B'ar 
say  he  wan't  hankerin'  after  any  gay  doin's,  but  ef  dar 
wuz  any  vittles  ter  be  'stroyed  at  de  party,  he  wuz  de 
man  fer  de  place.  So  he  let  ^Mis'  ^Molly  tie  him  up  an' 
den  she  went  clippin'  down  de  road,  stoppin'  at  de  turn 
long  'nuff  ter  sing  out:  '0  Mistah  B'ar!  0  Mistah 
B'ar,  I  hope  you  enj'y  yo'se'f  at  de  party!  Dey  tell 
me  hit  gwine  be  mighty  small  an'  s'lect.    'Tain'  s'prise 

197 


AT    THE    BIG   HOUSE 

me  ef  you  hatter  do  mos'  er  de  darnsin'  yo'se'f/  Wid 
dat  she  went  a-kitin'^  an'  den  she  slip  inter  de  bresh  an' 
double  an'  come  back  an'  squat  down  by  de  sto'  ter 
lissen. 

"Pres'n'y  yer  come  Mistah  Fox  lopin'  back  wid  a 
gre't  cowhide  in  his  han',  an'  he  wuz  mo'n  s'jDrise'  w'en 
he  see  ol'  B'ar  all  squoge  up  an'  tied  fas'  in  de  place 
whar  he  done  lef  Mis'  Molly  Cotton.-tail.  ^Laws-a- 
mussy !'  sezee,  Vat  in  de  name  er  de  ring-tail-roarers  is 
de  meanin'  er  dish  yer  piece  er  bizness?  Who  done  tie 
you  up  dis-a-way  ?    Dat  Molly  Hyar',  I  be  boun' !' 

"  'De  same/  sez  de  B'ar,  sezee. 

"  'Huccome  dat  ?'  sez  de  Fox,  sezee. 

"  '\Yell,  suh/  Mistah  B'ar  say,  '^she  tell  me  you  done 
tie  her  up  ter  mek  her  stay  fer  yo'  party  to-night,  an' 
she  say  she  natchelly  pinin'  ter  git  home  ter  her  sick 
young  un,  an'  she  cry  a  li'l  an'  baig  a  li'l,  an'  las'  I  tell 
her  I  jes'  ^z  lief  teck  her  place  an'  tend  de  sto'  an'  go 
ter  de  party.' 

"Fox  he  curl  his  mufstarsh  an'  twis'  de  een'  up  an' 
look  at  ol'  B'ar  outen  de  cornder  uv  his  eye  an'  he  say : 
*Uli-huh,  is  dasso?  You  tol'  her  dat,  did  you?  You 
willin'  ter  stay  ter  de  party?  Well,  ef  dat  de  case,  kin 
you  tell  me  w'y  she  hatter  go  ter  Tfu'k  an'  do  you  up  in 
all  dem  hard  knots  ?' 

"B'ar  he  say:  'Dat's  all  right.  I  turn  her  a-loose, 
an'  den  she  tie  me  up  dis-a-way  'kase  she  laugh  an' 
say  I  mought  change  my  min'  'bout  stayin'  fer  de 
party,  so  she  bes'  mek  sho'  uv  me,  fer  you  so  hard  up 
fer  fren's  'mongs'  de  creeturs  dat  you  hatter  do  dis-a- 
way  ter  git  anyb'dy  ter  come.' 

"Dat  mek  Fox  madder'n  a  hatter,  dough  he  ain'  so 

198 


mis'  molly  let  two  big  tears  fall  ker-splash 


ME.  BEAE  TEXDS  STOEE  FOE  ME.  FOX 

mad  but  w'at  he  kin  laugli  an'  holler  an'  slap  his  han' 
on  his  knee.  '^Lawd  !  lawd !'  sezee,  ^ef  dat  ain'  one  smart 
ooman !  Well,  suh,  de  on'ies  party  I  wuz  gwineter  gin 
wnz  a  hidin'-part}',  an'  me  an'  her  an'  dish  yer  cow- 
hide wuz  de  on'ies  folks  eenvited,  an'  now,  suh,  sence 
you  done  let  de  chief  mo'ner  go,  w'y  dish  yer  gwine  be 
3'o'  chanct  ter  do  de  cryin'.' 

"Wid  dat  lie  whu'l  de  ol'  rawhide  roun'  thu  de  air 
'twel  she  snap  lak  a  snappin'-turkle,  an'  bring  her  down 
on  Mistah  B'ar's  back,  zip  !  zip  I  zim !  B*ar  he  r'ared 
an'  he  charged  an'  he  tore  an'  he  swore  an'  ha  growled 
an'  he  howled,  but  'twan't  no  use.  Mis'  Molly  she  done 
tied  him  up  good  an'  fas'.  Fox  he  done  whup  him  an' 
whup  him  'twel  de  hide  hung  oifen  him  in  plumb  rib- 
ands. Fox  kep'  on  'twel  he  got  him  right  much  skunt 
up,  an'  all  de  time  he  wuz  jawin'  him  wid  ev'y  lick.  ^1 
gwine  I'arn  you  some  sense,  you  gre't  big  lan'-lubber ! 
Gwine  I'arn  3'ou  not  tor  be  tucken  in  by  ev'y  li'l  ol'  ooman 
whar  kin  pump  de  water  outen  her  eyes  in  th'ee  shakes 
uv  a  sheep's  tail !  Gwine  I'arn  you  not  ter  meddle  in  urr 
folkses  mixes.  You  is  de  ve'y  man  whar  comed  yer  an' 
bringed  me  dat  order  f'um  my  ol'  ooman  whar  nuver 
come  f'um  her  't  all,  an'  'tw^z  you  toted  off  de  meal  an' 
bacon  ter  ol'  Molly  Cotton-tail.  Ain'  you  know  dat 
ooman  well  'nuff  by  dis  time  ter  know  dat  you  gwine 
git  in  trouble  ef  you  don'  keep  'way  f'um  her?  You 
ol'  'nuff  ter  know  better,  'deed  you  is ;  an^diow  I  gwine 
I'arn  you.' 

"01'  B'ar  he  git  ter  cryin^,  an'  ev'y  time  de  whip  come 
down  he  let  out  a  big  'Boo-hoo  I'  Mis'  Molly  she  wuz 
settin'  outside  lis'nin',  an'  ev'y  time  he  say  ^Boo-hoo !' 
she  laugh  ^Ho-ho !'  at  de  same  minnit,  so  dey  ain'  year 

199 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

lier  't  all.  Wen  Fox  turnt  Mistah  B'ar  a-loose,  she  wuz 
off  outen  dat  in  a  jiffy,  an^  B'ar  ain'  see  her  fer  one  long 
spell.  He  hatter  sta}^  home  an'  nuss  his  hide  for  a  w'ile, 
an'  he  vow  ter  goodness  dat  he  gwine  frail  Molly  good 
nex'  time  he  meet  up  wid  her.  "^Mis'able  li'l  fippenny- 
bit/  sezee,  ^ler  ter  git  a  gre't  big  man  lak  me  a  th'ashin' 
f 'um  dat  ol'  Slickry  Sly-fox !  I  knock  'em  bof e  inter 
de  middle  er  nex'  week  nex'  time  I  ketch  'em,  dog  me  ef 
I  don'.' 

"Las',  one  da}^  Molly  seed  him  comin'  down  de  road, 
an'  she  turnt  off  inter  de  bresh  an'  scooted  thu  a  shawt 
cut  'twel  she  got  way  beyont  him.  Den  she  hop  inter 
de  middle  er  de  road  an'  sing  out,  "^Heyo,  Mistah  B'ar, 
how  you  enj'y  yo'se'f  at  Mistah  Fox's  party?  I  done 
yearn  dat  you  sing  mo'  louder  an'  jump  mo'  higher  dan 
any  urr  man  at  de  doin's.  Xo  pusson  'ud  think  dat  jes' 
ter  look  at  you  gwine  'long  so  solium  an'  stiddy.  You 
kain't  tell,  doughy  mens  is  mighty  'ceivin' ;  ^tain'  safe  fer 
us  po'  wimmins  ter  place  ow'  'pennance  on  yo'  looks.' 
Wid  dat  she  gin  her  behime  laigs  a  flirt  in  de  air  an' 
went  splungin'  inter  de  bresh  ag'in^  lak  01'  Harry  hisse'f 
wuz  after  her,  w'ich  mebbe  he  wuz,  an'  puttin  her  up  ter 
all  her  mischief." 


200 


A  STAR  STORY 


One  evening  the  children  encountered  Aunt  'Phrony 
sitting  in  the  doorway  of  the  cook-house,  gazing  in- 
tentl}^  at  the  stars  which  twinkled  overhead  like  so  many 
huge  fireflies.  She  was  so  absorbed  that  she  did  not 
seem  to  notice  them  until  Janey  softly  twitched  her 
apron  and  begged  to  know  what  she  was  looking  at. 

"Lookin^  at  de  stars,"  she  said. 

"What  for?"  asked  Janey,  who  was  alwa3's  as  full  of 
questions  as  the  proverbial  "Yankee." 

"'Kase  I  wanter,"  said  Aunt  'Phrony. 

"What  makes  you  want  to  ?"  persisted  the  relentless 
Janey. 

"W'at  mek  you  wanter  ax  me  so  many  queschins ;  kin 
you  tell  me  dat  ?"  said  the  old  woman,  suddenly  turning 
the  tables  on  Miss  Janey. 

"  'Cause  I  want  to  know,"  answered  the  irrepressible 
little  questioner. 

The  old  woman  heaved  a  sigh  of  resignation  as  she 
said  :  "Well,  I  s'pose  I  mought  ez  well  kyave  in  fus'  ez 
las',  'fo'  I  git  my  life  jes'  natchelly  pestered  outen  me. 
I  wuz  settin'  yer  lookin'  at  de  stars,  tryin'  ter  pick  out  de 
ones  whar  my  daddy  useter  tell  me  tales  'bout,  mo' 
'special  de,  seven  li'l  stars  whar  he  say  wuz  onct  seven 
li'l  Injun  boys."  Here  she  pointed  out  to  the  children 
the  cluster  of  stars  known  as  the  Pleiades  and  showed 

201 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

them  how  six  of  the  stars  were  very  close  together  in- 
deed, while  the  seventh  was  a  little  removed  from  the 
rest.  This  she  explained  h}^  saying  that  one  was  the 
youngest  boy,  who  had  lagged  behind,  not  being  quite 
able  to  keep  up  with  the  others. 

"De  tale  runs  on  lak  dis,"  she  said :  "Dese  yer  seven 
li"l  boys  wuz  sort  er  scampish  li'l  chaps,  all  timfe  runnin' 
an'  playin',  no  notion  't  all  er  mekin'  derse'fs  useful, 
sump'n  de  way  some  chillen  is  dese  days.  Dey  all  un 
'em  had  bows  an'  arrers  an'  dey  wuz  mighty  good  shots, 
dat  dey  wuz.  Dey  useter  practuss  shootin'  at  marks  an' 
th'owin'  things  up  inter  de  air  an'  shootin'  'em  'fo'  dey 
fall  to  de  groun'.  Dey  had  one  game  dey  wuz  pow'ful 
fond  er  plajdn' ;  dey  wuz  at  hit  mawnin',  noon  an'  night, 
an'  'twuz  lak  dis:  One  un  'em  'ud  th'ow  a  cawn-stalk 
up  in  de  air,  an'  dey'd  all  shoot  der  arrers  at  hit,  an' 
w'ichuver  come  de  clostes'  'ud  git  all  de  arrers  dat  bin 
shot.    Shootin'  fer  keeps,  dey  wuz. 

"Dey  live  wid  der  ol'  gran'mammy,  an'  she  wuz  too 
ol'  ter  do  much  wu'k,  an'  dar  wan't  no  men-folks  in  de 
house  ter  shoot  game  fer  her,  so  de  vittles  wuz  right 
sca'ce  sometimes.  Dem  mis'able  li'l  boys,  ef  dey''d  a-turnt 
der  arrers  a-loose  at  de  deer  an'  de  bu'ds  an'  sech  ez  dat, 
stidder  at  no-kyount  cawn-stalks,  dey  moughter  he'p  der 
granny  out  an'  gin  her  all  de  game  she  want.  Not  dem  ! 
'twuz  shoot,  shoot  all  day  long  at  de  cawn-stalks  stidder 
at  w'at  run  in  de  woods.  Wen  night  come  dey'd  march 
home  jes'  ez  biggitty  ez  you  please  an'  hongry  ez  houn's 
an'  'spec'  der  granny  ter  feed  'em  same  ez  dey  bin  wu'k- 
kin'  hard  all  day. 

'^'Las'  de  ol'  ooman  git  sort  er  outdone,  an'  she  say, 
'I  know  w'at  I  gwine  do  ter  fix  dese  chillen  off  an'  I'arn 

202 


A    STAR    STORY 

^em  a  lesson.  De  on'ies  thing  dey  gwine  git  f  um  me 
dis  night  is  cawn-stalk  soup ;  dey  lak  cawn-stalks  so  well 
dat  I  gwine  gin  'em  der  fill  fer  onct/  So  she  ga'rrd  a 
lot  er  de  oF  stalks  an'  pnt  'em  on  an'  b'iled  'em,  an' 
w'en  de  boys  come  traipsin'  in,  hongry  ez  wolfs,  she  putt 
de  new  soup  bef  o'  'em.  Dey  dabbed  in  in  a  mighty  hurry 
an'  tuck  big  mouffuls,  an'  den  sech  mekin'  faces  an'  sech 
spittin'  an'  sputterin'  you  nuver  seed.  De  fus'  li'l  boy 
he  clap  his  han'  ter  his  mouf  an'  he  say,  ^M !'  Second 
li'l  boy  say,  ^Hm !'  Thu'd  lil  boy  say,  ^Whew !'  Fo'th 
li'l  boy  say,  ^Oo-oo-oo  !'  Fif  lil  boy  say,  Tf  !'  Sixt'  li'l 
boy  say,  ^Bf !'  Sevent'  li'l  boy  say  nuttln'  't  all,  'kase 
his  mouf  all  scalted  an'  he  kain't. 

"  ^W'ats  de  marter  ?'  sez  der  granny,  sez  she,  ^^ain' 
y'all  lak  dat  cawn-stalk  stchew  ?  'Tain'  poss'bl'  you  kin 
git  too  much  er  cawn-stalks,  don'  tell  me  dat,  'kase  I 
ain'  gwine  b'lieve  hit.  Saw'y  I  kain't  gin  you  any  dese 
urr  vittles.  Dish  yer  stchew  gwine  be  yo'  stay  an'  stan'- 
by  'twel  you  quit  yo'  foolin'  an'  set  ter  wu'k  an'  bring 
me  home  some  game.  Long  'fo'  yo'  daddy  wuz  ol'  ez 
you-all  he  useter  bring  me  home  bu'ds  an'  squ'ls  an' 
hyar's.  I  dunno  w'at  de  marter  wid  chillen  dese  days; 
seem  lak  dey  gittin'  mo'  an'  mo'  trouble  an'  less  an'  less 
use  ter  de  growd-ups.  I  wunner  ef  de  time  gwine  come 
w'en  you  git  too  lazy  ter  eat?  Naw,  sub,  I  don'  reckon 
dat'll  uver  happen  in  my  day.  Wats  de  good  er  me 
stuffin'  an'  stuffin'  y'all  jes'  ter  mek  you  grow  up  inter 
lazy,  wufless  men-folks;  an'  ef  a  Injun  man  kain't 
hunt,  I  ax  you  w'at  is  he  good  fer,  den?  He  let  de 
wimmin  folk  do  ev'ything  but  dat,  an'  now  yer  you 
wants  ter  mek  me  tu'n  in  an'  do  dat,  too.' 

"De  li'l  boys  ain'  say  nair'  wu'd,  jes'  picked  up  der 

203 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

bows  an'  arrers  an'  putt  out  f  um  de  house  tight  ez  dey 
kin  go,  de  oldeses'  boy  in  de  lead,  an'  las'  uv  all  de 
vouns^eses'  boy,  whar  wuz  li'l  an'  shawt  an'  fat,  an' 
kain't  run  fas'  ez  tu'rrs. 

"  'Now,  w'at  in  de  name  er  goodness  tecks  dem  chillen 
outen  de  house  at  dis  time  er  night,'  sez  granny,  sez  she. 
'Whar  is  dey  gwine  an'  w'at  dey  gwine  do  ?  Come  back 
yer,  chillen !  Come  back  yer,  'fo'  I  teck  a  stick  an'  go 
atter  you!'  She  go  ter  de  do'  an'  call  an'  call  an'  call 
'em,  loud  ez  she  kin,  but  dey  ain'  pay  no  'tention  't  all, 
jes'  let  on  dey  ain'  year  her  an'  run  all  de  faster. 

" 'Mussy  me'!'  she  say,  'has  I  gotter  pick  up  my  ol' 
bones  an'  try  ter  ketch  dem  chillen  ?  Come  back  yer,  you- 
all,  ef  you  know  w'at  bes'  fer  yo'  hides.  Ef  I  hatter  come 
dar  I  tan  you  black  an'  blue.  Y'all  bin  sp'ilin'  fer  a  good 
frailin'  dis  long  time,  an'  ef  I  does  hatter  come  dar, 
111  walk  up  an'  down  yo'  kyarkiss  a  time  er  two  an'  gin 
you  sech  a  lambastin'  dat  even  de  dogs  in  dis  naberhoods 
ain'  gwine  know  you.' 

"Chillen  ain'  pay  no  'tention,  so  de  ol'  ooman  she 
tucken  a  long  href  an'  ga'rrd  a  long  switch  an'  putt  out 
atter  de  boys.  All  ter  onct,  w'ile  she  wuz  chasin'  'em 
she  seed  'em  'mence  ter  riz  up  f'um  de  groun',  an'  she 
stop  shawt  an'  open  her  eyes  an'  mouf  wide  an'  hoi'  up 
her  han's  at  de  sight  an'  call  out  fer  'em  ter  stop.  But 
bless  goodness,  dey  kain't  stop,  an'  w'ats  mo',  dey  'gun 
ter  whu'l  roun'  in  de  air  w'iles  dey  went  up,  an'  de}'' 
whu'l  faster  an'  faster  'twel  hit  mek  der  oi'  granny 
plumb  dizzy  ter  look  at  'em.  Dey  cried  an'  dey  hilt  out 
der  han's  ter  der  granny,  but  'twan't  no  use ;  she  cu'dden 
he'p  'em.  Dey  whizzed  so  fas'  dat  dey  jes'  look  lak  black 
specks  ez  dey  went  up.    Dey  go  up,  up,  up,  whu'lin'  an^ 

204 


A    STAK    STOEY 

whu'lin^  an'  wliu'lin'.  'twel  las'  dey  hit  ker-smack  ag'in 
de  sky,  an'  dey  wuz  gwine  so  hard  dat  dey  jes'  stuck  fas', 
an'  dar  dey  bin  nver  sence.  Dey  kain't  git  a-loose ;  dar 
dey  is,  pris'ners,  all  bekase  dey  wuz  sassy  an'  ugly 
an'  ain'  niin'  der  granny. 

^'De  po'  ol'  ooman  ain'  nuver  see  'em  no  mo' ;  she  live 
on  all  'lone  in  de  house,  an'  w'en  de  nights  wuz  cle'r 
she'd  set  in  de  do'  an'trv  ter  mek  out  de  seven  li'l  stars 
whar  she  knowed  wuz  de  norty  li'l  chillen.  She'd  set 
dar  an'  rock  back  an'  fo'th  an'  look  up  at  de  stars  an' 
say,  To'  li'l  chillen,  po'  li'l  fellers,  wunner  will  dey 
uver  come  back  ter  de  jeaTi  ag'in.  Ef  dey  wuz  yer  right 
now  I  boun'  you  I'd  gin  'em  one  good  feed  an'  no  ques- 
chins  axed,  neener.' 

"But  dey  nuver  come  back  no  mo'.  Fer  a  long  time 
nob'dy  know  w'at  become  uv  'em,  but  las'  de  ol'  ooman 
kain't  keep  de  sekert  no  longer,  an'  she  call  de  nabers' 
chillen  roun'  her  an'  p'int  out  de  seven  stars  an'  tell  'em 
jes'  how  hit  happen. 

"So  all  cle  li'l  chillen  tucken  ter  watchin'  dem  stars 
w'en  de. nights  wuz  cle'r  'nuff.  Wen  dey  see  one'r  de 
seven  gin  a  twinkle  dey'd  say  'twuz  'kase  he  jes'  shot  a 
arrer  outen  his  bow.  An'  de  ol'  ooman  died,  an'  de  li'l 
naber  chillen  growed  up  an'  died,  an'  der  chillen  died, 
too,  an'  so  on  an'  so  on  down  ontwel  dis  time,  yit  dem 
li'l  Injun  boys  is  still  stuck  fas'  in  de  sky. 

"Ef  you'll  look  up  dar  now  you  kin  see  'em,  all  clost 
toge'rr,  'scusin'  de  youngeses'  one ;  he  so  li'l  an'  his  laigs 
so  shawt  dat  he  got  lef  behime  de  res',  and  dat  huccome 
he  ain'  right  wid  'em.  Ef  you  look  sharp  you  kin  see 
'em  shootin'  a  arrer  now  an'  den ;  you'll  know  dat  by  de 
twinkle. 

205 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 


in 


"^Disli  yer  tale  orter  Tarn  joii  dat  siimp'n  sho'  ter  hap- 
pen ter  chillen  whar  is  lazy  an'  cross  an'  sassy  ter  de 
growed-iips,  Dey  boun'  ter  git  stuck  fas'  som'ers,  dough 
mebbe  'twon't  be  in  de  skv.  I  has  knowed  sech  chillen 
ter  git  fasten  ter  de  baidpost  er  lock"  up  in  de  closet. 
'Tain'  so  fur  aways^  but  hit  seem  ter  arnser  de  puppus," 
and  here  she  looked  meanino^lv  at  "Wi-vum,"  who  was 
in  disgrace  for  having  run  oS  and  stayed  all  day  at  the 
cross-roads  store  without  leave. 

She  rolled  her  eyes  up  toward  the  stars  again  and 
said  musinfflv,  "I  lak  ter  know  how  manv  er  deni  ol' 
tales  'bout  de  stars  is  true,  er  ef  dey  ain'  true,  who  'twuz 
dat  fus'  got  up  de  stories.  Mus'  a  bin  long,  long  time 
ago,  for  no  pusson  seem  ter  3'ear  nuttin'  lak  dat  dese 
days." 

The  children  asked  if  there  were  other  stories  about 
the  stars. 

"  'Deed,  dat  dey  is,"  she  answered.  "Daddy  knowed  a 
heap  'bout  de  mawnin'  star  an'  de  evenin'  star  an'  a  lot 
uv  urrs,  but  hit  bin  so  long  sence  I  year  ^em  dat  I  kain't 
rightly  call  'em  ter  min'.  I  don'  'spec'  I'd  'a'membered 
dis  un  ef  Wi-yum's  gwines  on  ain'  putt  me  in  de  min' 
uv  hit.  Seem  lak  you  kain't  git  so  far  back  in  de  ol' 
times  but  w'at  you  year  tell  'bout  norty  chillen,  jes'  de 
same  ez  in  dis  day  an'  generation;  de  crap  nuver  fails 
ner  gins  out,  w'atuver  else  gits  sca'ce. 


}> 


206 


WHY  CRABS  WALK  BACKWARD 

One  morning  the  children  were  playing  out  in  a  cold, 
drizzlino:  rain,  and  Aunt  Xancv  had  several  times  ad- 
vised  them  to  come  in  without  effect. 

"Y'all  gwine  ketch  yo'  deaf,"  she  said,  "an'  den  whar'll 
you  be?  Don'  come  'roun'  me  wid  yo'  aches  an'  yo' 
pains  an'  yo'  sniffin'  an'  barkin',  'kase  I  ain'  gwine  teck 
up  my  time  wid  chillen  whar  dunno  'nuff  ter  come  in 
outen  cle  rain ;  'tain'  wuff  my  w'iles." 

"It  isn't  raining  much ;  we  won't  take  cold,"  they  pro- 
tested, but  Aunt  Xancy  continued  her  harangue,  with 
now  and  then  the  threat  of  an  appeal  to  higher  author- 
ity. At  last  she  changed  her  methods.  "Well,  I  thought 
I  knowed  some  tol'bl'  good  chillens,  but  I  sees  I  done 
mek  a  mistake ;  I  sees  you  is  a  set  er  know-hit-alls,  whar 
kin  give  p'ints  ter  yo'  maw  an'  yo'  Uncle  Hinry  an'  all 
de  growed-ups,  let  'lone  a  ol'  ooman  lak  me.  De  times 
is  mo'  diff'nt  f  um  w'at  dey  wuz.  In  my  day  an'  ginera- 
tion  de  ol'  folks  had  charge  er  dis  worl',  but  now  de 
vouno*  folks  done  tucken  de  reins  in  ban'  an'  de  ol'  folks 
gotter  go  jes'  w'en  an'  whar  dey  sesso.  Dey  jes'  lets  us 
live  on  top  de  yearf  an'  dats  'bout  all.  Things  gittin' 
so  topsy-turv}"  hit  mek  my  ol'  haid  spin  roun'.  Dar  ain' 
bin  nuttin'  lak  hit  sence  de  day  w'en  young  Mistah  Crab 
think  he  know  mo'  dan  de  One  whar  done  mek  him." 

The  children  pricked  up  their  ears  at  the  prospect  of 

207 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

a  possible  story,  but  it  would  not  do  to  capitulate  too 
soon^  so  they  went  on  playing  with  half  of  their  attention 
directed  to  i\.unt  Xancy,  as  she  stood  beguilingly  in  the 
doorway. 

"Xemmine/''  she  said,  "Crab  done  met  wid  his  come- 
uppance ^long  er  his  smarty  ways,  an'  I  boun'  you  some 
chillen  gwine  do  de  same  ef  dey  ain'  stop  dish  yer 
foolishness  an'  come  right  in  outer  de  wet.  Does  y'all 
think  you  wuz  raise'  in  de  duck-pond  an'  kin  shed  de. 
water  same  ez  ef  you  had  fedders  an'  walked  wid  a 
waddle  an'  talked  wid  a  quack  ?  I  gwine  wash  my  ban's 
er  de  hull  bizness.  I  done  said  de  las'  wu'd,  an'  y'all 
kin  sta}^  out  yer  'twel  you  gits  water-soaked,  lak  dem  oV 
logs  down  in  de  swamp,  fer  all  I  kyare." 

With  that  she  disappeared  from  the  doorway,  followed 
by  the  children,  eager  to  make  peace  and  to  learn  the 
story  of  the  naughty  Mr.  Crab.  Dry  shoes  and  stockings 
were  first  in  order,  and  then,  her  little  charges  seated 
with  her  about  the  fire.  Aunt  Xancy  leaned  comfortably 
back,  ready  to  satisfy  their  curiosity. 

"Xow  I  'spec'  you  chillen  s'pose  dis  yearf  alluz  bin 
jes'  de  way  'tis  now,"  she  began,  ^^ut  w'en  you  git  ol' 
'nuff  ter  read  yo'  Bible  you  gwine  fin'  out  dat  der 
wuz  a  day  an'  time  w^'en  dar  wan't  no  yearf  a-tall  an' 
de  Lawd  jes'  hatter  set  ter  wu'k  an'  mek  hit  all  f'um  de 
bottom  er  de  lowes'  sea  ter  de  top  er  de  highes'  moun- 
tain. Wats  mo',  dar  wan't  no  bushes  ner  trees  ner  grass 
ner  fiow's ;  He  hatter  mek  'em  all,  an'  atter  He  git  'em 
done  hit  look  so  fraisli  an'  green  an'  bloomy  dat  hit  seem 
lak  der  orter  be  sump'n  er  ru'rr  ter  walk  roun'  an'  look 
at  hit  an'  mek  'miration  over  hit.  So  den  He  set  ter 
wu'k  on  de  creeturs. 

308 


WHY    CEABS    WALK    BACKWAED 

"Honeys,  dat  wuz  a  big  job !  He  jes'  had  one  pattern 
ter  go  by,  an'  all  dar  wuz  to  hit  wuz  body,  laigs,  haid  an' 
tail,  an'  yit  He  done  mek  'em  ev'y  one  diff'nt.  He  gin 
some  un  'em  fur  an'  some  fedders  an'  some  jes'  nuttin' 
but  de  naked  hide;  an'  some  got  long,  bushy  tails,  an' 
some  come  mighty  nigh  gittin'  no  tails  't  all.  He  strotch 
de  laigs  fer  some  an'  lef  'em  shawt  fer  urrs,  an'  putt  on 
a  li'l  mo'  claw  yer  an'  a  li'l  less  dar,  an'  took  a  pinch  er 
dis  off  yer  an'  stuck  a  dab  er  dat  on  dar;  an'  gin  dis 
bu'd  mo'  wing-fedders  an'  dat  un  mo'  tail-fedders,  an' 
changed  His  min'  'bout  some  er  de  naked  'uns  an' 
kivered  'em  wid  scales,  an'  got  out  his  paint  box  an'  bresh 
an'  tetched  'em  up  yer  an'  dar,  an'  las'  dey  wuz  all  done, 
'scusin'  der  haids,  an'  dey  wuz  ev'y  las'  one  diff'nt  f  um 
tu'rr.  He  sort  er  run  shawt  er  goods  w'en  He  git  ter 
Mistah  Snake  an'  Mistah  Wu'm,  so  dem  creeturs  got 
neener  fur  ner  fedders  ner  laigs  ner  f ootses. 

^'T  tol'  you  dey  wuz  all  done  'scusin'  de  haids.  Well, 
de  Lawd  tuck  an'  putt  'em  in  a  row  in  front  uv  'im,  an' 
den  He  sot  ter  wu'k  on  de  haids.  He  lef  dat  ter  de  las', 
'kase  He  knowed  'twuz  de  mos'  empawtant,  an'  'kase  He 
cu'd  tell  dat-a-way  w'ich  sort  er  haid  gwine  bes'  suit 
w'ich  sort  er  creetur.  He  knowed  'twuz  a  ticklish  job 
an'  dat  He  mought  sp'ile  de  hull  bizness  ef  He  ain'  kyar- 
ful.  Same  ez  wid  de  bodies.  He  jes'  had  one  pattern — 
two  eyes,  two  years,  a  nose  an'  a  mouf — yit,  same  ez  wid 
de  bodies.  He  made  'em  all  diff'nt — nose  long  er  shawt, 
mouf  big  er  li'l,  eyes  close  toge'rr  er  fur  apart,  years 
long  er  shawt,  sharp  toofs  er  blunt  toofs  er  no  toofs 
a-tall.  De  older  you  chillen  gits  de  mo'  you  gwine  ax 
vo'se'fs  how  'tis  dat  ev'v  man,  ooman  an'  chil'  you  meets 
has  jes'  got  two  eyes  an'  a  nose  an'  a  mouf,  an'  yit  you 

209 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

kin  go  up  de  yearf  an'  down  de  yearf  an'  you  ain'  gwine 
fin'  nair'  two  faces  jes'  zackly  de  same..  An'  dats  de 
way  'tis  wid  de  creeturs,  too.  Dey  may  look  de  same 
ter  us,  but  I  boun'  you  dev  looks  ies'  ez  diff'nt  in 
de  face  ter  one  nnrr  ez  w'at  we-all  does  ter  ow'  own 
kin'.  Now  dars  dat  houn'  dog  er  mine,  old  Bouncer; 
dat  'ar  dog  so  smart  he  mouglit  jes'  ez  well  be  human ; 
I  ain't  got  nair'  fault  ter  fin'  wid  him,  'scusin'  dat 
he  will  trifle  wid  de  ash-cakes  w'en  my  back  is  turnt; 
but  dat  I  gotter  'spec'  f'um  him,  'kase  'tain'  poss'bl' 
ter  fill  up  de  kyarkiss  uv  a  houn'  dog,  'tain'  de  nater 
er  de  beas'  ter  feel  fill'  up.  Well,  suh,  w'en  I  go 
up  ter  de  co'te-house  on  co'te-day  an'  teck  dat  dog  wid 
me — w'ich  I  mos'  in  gin'ly  does,  'kase  I  knows  he  wanstcr 
see  his  own  kin'  now  an'  den,  same  'z  I  does  mine — he 
jes'  gins  one  look  inter  de  face  uv  ev'y  dog  he  meets  up 
wid,  an'  dat  minnit  he  knows  ef  he  done  seed  him  bef o', 
an'  ef  he  has,  he  stops  an'  tells  him  howdy,  an'  ef  hits 
a  strange  dog,  he  knows  by  dat  one  look  whe'rr  de  dog 
is  a  shif  "less,  low-down  cur,  er  whe'rr  hits  wuf  de  w'ile 
ter  mek  his  'quaintance.  Ef  'tain',  mebbe  he'll  gin  him 
a  nab,  jes'  ter  let  him  know  his  betters  is  passin',  er 
mebbe  he'll  go  r'arin'  by  widout  even  turnin'  his  haid, 
jes'  ter  let  him  see  dat  he's  too  low-down  fer  Bouncer 
ter  notuss,  let  'lone  bark  at. 

"Lessee,  how  fur  'long  wuz  I  wid  de  tale?  Yas,  uh- 
huh,  whar  de  creeturs  wuz  all  made  an'  done  an'  stan- 
nin'  up  in  a  row  fer  der  haids  ter  be  putt  on.  I  tell  you 
dat  wuz  a  mighty  ticklish  time  w'en  de  Lawd  have  all  de 
haids  pile'  up,  waitin'  fer  de  owners,  'kase  hit  moughter 
bin  dat  de  wrong  haid   an'  body  got  toge'rr,  er   dey 


210 


WHY    CRABS    WALK    BACKWARD 

moiighter  bin  j'ined  slanchways,  er  dey  moughter  bin  a 
po'  fit,  but  den  dish  yer  wiiz  de  Lawd  doin'  dis,  so  in 
co'se  dar  wan't  gwine  be  no  slip-np. 

"  Tome  yer,  Lion/  sez  de  Lawd,  sezee,  'an'  lemme  putt 
yo'  haid  on ;  hits  monst'ous  haivy ;  don'  keep  me  waitin'/ 

"So  Lion  he  walked  right  up  an'  got  his  haid  on  in  a 
jiff,  an'  den  shuk  his  mane  an'  gin  one  big  roar  an'  went 
splungin'  off  inter  de  woods. 

"  Tome  yer,  Ef alent,'  sez  de  Lawd,  sezee,  an'  wid  dat 
Efalent  walk  up  an'  git  his  haid  on  an'  go  twis'in'  an' 
curlin'  his  trunk  an'  raisin'  up  his  voice  'twel  de  groun' 
plumb  shuk  wid  de  soun'. 

"  Tome  yer,  Hoss,'  sez  de  Lawd,  sezee,  an'  wid  dat 
Hoss  prance  up'  an'  git  his  haid  on  an'  go  off  neighin' 
an'  r'arin'  an'  kickin'  up  his  heels  same  'z  de  bosses  over 
3^onner  in  de  paster. 

"  Tome  yer.  Cow,'  sez  de  Lawd,  sezee,  an'  Mis'  Cow 
sa'nter  up  an'  git  her  haid  an'  go  off  shakin'  her  hawns 
an'  chewin'  her  cud  an'  mooin'  lak  she  might'ly  please' 
wid  husse'f . 

"  Tome  yer.  Dog,'  sez  de  Lawd,  sezee,  an'  wid  dat  Dog 
he  go  trottin'  up  an'  git  his  haid  putt  on  an'  go  off 
waggin'  his  tail  an'  flappin'  his  years  an'  barkin'  at 
ev'vb'dv  he  meet. 

"Jesso  'twuz  wid  all  de  creeturs,  f um  de  Efalent 
down  ter  li'l  ol'  ^lis'  Ant,  an'  dey  wuz  all  please'  an' 
sassified,  but  w'en  hit  come  ter  de  turn  er  Mistah  Crab, 
he  hilt  back,  an'  he  say,  'Naw,  suh,  'sense  me,  suh,  ef 
I  ain'  come  forwu'd.' 

"Tu'rr  creeturs  wuz  all  scannelize'  at  his  imp'ence, 
an'  dey  nudge  him  an'  tell  him  ter  go  'long  an'  quit  his 
foolishness. 

211 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

'^^Come  3^er,  Crab/'  sez  de  Lawcl,  sezee,  ^an'  lemme 
year  w'at  'senses  you  kin  mek  fer  dis  'havishness.' 

"Wid  dat  Crab  picked  up  his  body  on  dem  long,  spind- 
ly laigs  er  his'n,  an'  went  sidlin'  an'  teeterin'  up  in  front 
er  de  Lawd,  fer  all  de  worl'  ez  ef  he  wu^  walkin'  on 
stilts. 

"  Tlease,  suh/  sezee,  ^you  mus'  'sense  me,  suh,  but  I 
ain'  want  yon  ter  putt  my  haid  on  me;  I  knows  'tain' 
gwine  feel  comf'ble.  I  wanster  putt  my  own  haid  on, 
'kase  hit  stan'  ter  reason  dat  I  mus'  know  better'n  any- 
one else  w'en  hit  feels  jes'  right.' 

"Ef  you'll  b'lieve  me,  dar  he  stood,  sassy  ez  a  jay-bird, 
'sputin'  an'  argyfyin'  'twel  de  Lawd  wuz  plumb  wo'  out 
wid  him  an'  gin  him  de  haid,  right  side  up,  jes'  de  way 
'twnz  ter  be  putt  on.  Crab  he  tucken  hit  inter  his  claws 
an'  hysted  hit  up  even  wid  his  body  an'  clapped  hit  on. 
^Ouch !'  sezee,  ^dat  kain't  be  right,  feels  sort  er  lop- 
sided,' an'  wid  dat  he  gin  hit  a  li'l  hitch  ter  one  side. 
Mo'  wusser  dan  befo' !  '^Shucks !'  sezee,  ^dat  won'  do ; 
feel  lak  I  sort  er  whopper- jawed,'  an'  he  gin  hit  nn'rr 
li'l  hitch.  He  kep'  hit  up  dat-a-way  'twel  he  had  de  haid 
on  plumb  upside  down  an'  den  he  wuz  sassified,  an'  wid- 
out  so  much  ez  ^thanky'  de  ongrateful  creetur  putt  out 
fer  whar  he  camed  f'nm,  w'ich  'twnz  down  by  de  sea 
sho'. 

"But  bless  3^0'  soul,  his  idees  wuz  all  turnt  upside 
down  'long  wid  his  haid,  an'  w'at  did  he  done  but  run 
backwn'ds  stidder  forwu'ds. 

"  ^Lawsy !'  sezee,  ^seem  lak  I  ain'  gittin'  over  de  groun' 
same  ez  tu'rr  creeturs.  Wats  de  marter  wid  me  !  Look 
lak  ev'ything  runnin'  way  f'nm  me  stidder  gittin'  closter 
to  hit.    'Spec'  I  better  go  back  an'  ax  'bout  dis.' 

213 


WHY    CEABS    WALK    BACKWAED 

"Well,  suli,  he  had  de  insurance  .ter  go  backin'  hisse'f 
up  in  front  er  de  Lawd  an'  ax  Him  'bout  de  marter,  l)ut 
de  Lawd  jes'  shet  spang  down  on  him  an'  tol'  'im  dat 
sence  he  done  tucken  his  haid  in  his  own  ban's  he  mus' 
stan'  de  commonsqinces  ef  'twan't  putt  on  right. 

"Uver  sence  den  de  crabs  bin  doin'  der  runnin'  back- 
wu'ds,  an'  ev'y  now  an'  den  )^ou'  11  see  'em  stop  an'  do 
lak  dey  sort  er  'stracted  by  hit  an'  slide  off  a  li'l  ter  one 
sides  an'  fiddle  roun'  wid  dem  spidery  laigs  a  li'l,  an' 
den  go  on  erg'in.  an'  folks  tells  me  dat  ef  crabs  gits  one'r 
dem  laigs  hurted  dey  kin  jes'  drap  hit  off,  easy  ez  wink, 
an'  grow  anu'rr  jes'  ez  good  ter  teck  hits  place,  dat  dey 
kin ;  an'  I  kain't  see  w'y  'tain'  fix  up  so  't  folks  kin  do  de 
same,  'kase  'pears  ter  me  dat  folks  got  jes'  'z  much  use  fer 
laigs  ez  w'at  crabs  is,  an'  mebbe  mo'  so.  But  'tain'  no  use 
ter  ax  queschins  'bout  de  runnin'-gear  er  dish  yer  worl', 
'kase  dey  ain'  gwine  be  arnsered,  an'  'tain'  gwine  change 
de  fac'  dat  crabs  kin  grow  new  laigs  an'  folks  kain't. 
Ef  you  turn  outer  vo'  waA'  a  li'l  after  one'r  dem  crabs  he 
gwine  gin  you  a  nip  ef  he  git  de  chanct,  an'  he  look  jes' 
ez  mad,  skeedaddlin'  backwu'ds  over  the  san',  ez  ef  he 
had  a  spite  'gins'  de  hull  creashun  'kase  he  hatter  walk 
backwu'ds.  An'  I  ses  ter  you,  dats  de  way  wid  dese 
mulish  folks  all  de  worl'  over ;  tecks  der  own  wav  'bout 
ev'ything,  an'  den  w'en  hit  don'  'gree  wid  'em,  wanster 
teck  der  spite  out  on  urr  folks.  Heap  easier  ter  git  mad 
wid  urr  folks  dan  'tis  wid  yo'se'f. 

"Xow  dat's  de  tale,  jes'  ez  'twuz  tol'  me  by  a  gal  f'um 
Baltimo',  an'  I  reckon  she  orter  knowed  all  'bout  hit, 
'kase  dey  tells  me  Baltimo'  is  a  gre't  place  fer  crabs  an' 
oysters  an'  all  sech  truck  ez  dat  w'at  we  don'  grow  in 
dis  kvountv." 

213 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

Just  then  little  Kit  gave  Aunt  Nancy  an  unlucky  hit 
on  the  elbow  from  a  stick  with  which  he  was  playing. 
She  seemed  more  put  out  than  the  occasion  warranted, 
but  explained  it  by  saying  that  if  your  crazy-bone  was 
hit  you  were  sure  to  be  disappointed.  Ned,  who  was  a 
very  matter-of-fact  young  person,  inclined  to  believe 
only  in  the  things  he  saw,  wanted  to  know  if  she  really 
believed  in  signs  like  that.  As  on  a  previous  occasion, 
she  expressed  firm  faith  and  added  that  she  believed 
there  was  scarcely  anything  which  happened  that  was 
not  a  sio^n  if  vou  onlv  knew  how  to  read  it  aright. 

"Urr  folks,"  she  said,  "has  tuck  notuss  er  dat  sidesen 
me,  an'  dey  done  putt  'em  inter  rhymes  an'  jingles  an' 
sech,  so  't  folks  kin  'member  'em  better.  Mebbe  I  kin 
gin  you  some  un  'em.    Lessee,  dar's  one  ses, 

^Riglit  lian  itch,  rub  on  wood 

An'  say,  come  good,  come  good,  come  good; 

Lef  lian'  itch,  rub  on  brass 

An'  say,  come  fas',  come  fas',  come  fas'.' 

"Ef  you'll  say  dem  wu'ds  an'  blow  on  yo'  han'  an'  den 
shet  hit  tight  you  gwine  git  a  present,  sho',  sooner  er 
later.  Ef  yo'  years  itch,  some  un  talkin'  'bout  you  an' 
you  mus'  say  ter  yo'se'f, 

^Tall'  good,  good  betide  you; 
Talk  bad,  devil  ride  you.'_ 

"Ef  yo'  eye  itch,  you  gwine  see  a  stranger,  an'  ef  yo' 
mouf  itch  you  gwine  git  a  kiss  f 'um  a  stranger.  Sho ! 
dar's  mo'  signs  dan  you  kin  shake  a  stick  at,  but  you 
kain't  'spec'  me  ter  think  'em  all  up  ter  onct.  I  done  gin 
you  'nuff  fer  one  time." 

214 


THE  OKIGIX  OF  THE  CAT 


The  children  liked  Aunt  Xancy's  account  of  the  crea- 
tit)n  so  well  that  thev  bes^o-ed  for  more  alono"  the  same 
line,  and  Aunt  Xancy  readily  obliged  them,  though  her 
dignity  seemed  to  require  that  she  should  begin,  as  she 
often  did,  with  a  make-believe  protest. 

"I  ^clar'  you-all  dunno  w'en  ter  stop,"  she  said,  ^l3ut  I 
s'pose  I  gotter  mek  up  my  min'  to  hit,  fer  a  po'  ol' 
nigger  ooman  lak  me,  w'en  she  gits  wid  a  set  er  chillen 
lak  you-all,  ain'  got  no  mo'  chanct  fer  havin'  her  own 
way  dan  a  chicken-fedder  in  a  harrvcane." 

She  put  more  wood  on  the  fire,  fanned  the  coals  into 
a  l^laze  with  a  huge  turke3'-wing,  afterward  sweeping 
the  hearth  clean  with  the  same  implement,  administered 
correction  to  the  insinuating  Bouncer,  who  had  followed 
her  up  to  the  ^^big  house''  and  installed  himself,  by  al- 
most imperceptible  degrees,  in  the  warmest  place  before 
the  fire,  and  settled  herself  to  begin  a  new  story, — one 
that  concerned  the  origin  of  the  cat. 

"Dese  yer  cats,"  she  said,  "ain'  got  no  call  ter  sling 
on  airs  an'  putt  up  der  backs  at  folks  de  way  dey  does, 
'kase  dey  wuz  de  las'  er  de  creeturs  ter  be  made,  long 
after  all  de  res',  an'  dey  orter  know  der  place  an'  'have 
derse'fs  'cordin'.  Xot  dem !  Dey  wants  de  bes'  uv 
ev'thing  wharuver  dev  goes,  an'  ef  dev  kain't  a^it  hit 
by  hook,  den  dey  gits  hit  by  crook.     Seem  ter  think  dat 

215 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

meat-platters  an'  cream-jugs  wiiz  made  on  piippus  fer 
dem  ter  nab  der  livin'  f  um,  an'  de  softes'  cushoms  made 
fer  'em  ter  lay  on,  an'  you  kain't  git  dem  idees  outen  der 
haids. 

•^^Mos'  times  you  kin  subjue  a  dog,  but  de  cat  she  jes' 
comes  bobbin'  up  ag'in,  springy  ez  a  injy-rubber  ball. 
Ef  you  don'  b'lieve  dat,  jes'  watch  ol'  Snip,  dat  ol' 
yaller  torm  cat  uv  Aunt  'Phrony's.  She  kain't  do  nuttin' 
wid  him ;  she  done  met  her  match  fer  meanness  in  dat 
cat,  an'  I  reckon  dat  huccome  she  keep  him.  Dat  cat 
ain'  'feard  er  nuttin'  ner  nob'dy;  he  do  jes'  'zackly  de 
way  he  wanter,  an'  'Phrony  husse'f  don'  dast  ter  mek 
him  git  down  outen  her  cheer.  He  done  got  ter  de  place 
whar  he  'bout  think  de  cabin  b'long  to  him,  an'  he  jes' 
lets  de  urrs  stay  roun'  wid  'im.  Hit  sut'n'y  is  a  sight 
ter  see  'im  wid  'Phrony's  ol'  dog,  Snap.  Sometimes  he 
lets '  Snap  lay  on  de  ha'th,  an'  sometimes  he  don',  an' 
w'en  he  gin  de  wu'd  ter  go,  I  tell  you  dat  dog  gotter  git 
up  an'  dus'  er  de  fur  gwine  fly.  I  done  seed  Snip  git 
right  on  Snap's  back,  whar  Snap  kain't  reach  'im, 
an'  jes'  ride  him  right  out  de  do'  an'  see  'im  clean  offen 
de  primises.  Umph  !  Wat  'twix'  dat  dog  an'  dat  cat  an' 
dat  boy  Wi'yum,  dat  ooman  sut'n'y  have  trials  an'  tribi- 
lations!  But  'bout  de  tale,  I  mus'  keep  on  de  track 
better'n  dis,  er  I  ain'  gwine  git  ter  de  een'  in  time  ter 
git  home  an'  git  my  ol'  man's  dinner. 

"Long  befo'  cats  wuz  made  er  thought  uv,  dar  wuz 
a  ooman  lived  all  by  husse'f;  one  dese  yer  lone  wimmin 
whar  dey  calls  ol'  maids.  Her  cabin  wuz  'way  oif  in 
de  woods  som'ers,  an'  she  ain'  have  no  near  nabers  ner 
no  pusson  ter  look  after  her.  'Twan't  so  bad  in  spring 
w'en  de  dogwoods  wuz  in  bloom  an'  all  de  flow's  bustin^ 

216 


THE    OEIGIX    OF    THE    CAT 

thu  de  yearfj  ner  in  summer  w'en  de  sun  shine  bright 
thu  de  woods  an'  wo'm  up  de  pine-tags  'twel  dey  'bleeged 
ter  let  out  der  sweetness,  ner  in  de  fall  w'en  ev'ything 
good  wuz  ripe  an'  she  wuz  pow'ful  busy  gittin'  in  her 
cawn  an'  taters  an'  punkins  an'  her  wood  fer  de  col' 
wedder.  But  w'en  de  winter  done  come  an'  de  pine 
trees  rock  'twel  hit  soun'  lak  waves  dashin'  on  de  sho' 
an'  de  wind  howl  Voo-hoo-oo  I  woo-hoo-oo !'  all  roun' 
de  house  an'  down  de  chimbly,  den,  I  tell  you,  dat 
ooman  felt  mio'htv  low  down  in  her  min'  an'  wish't 
she'd  tucken  de  fus'  man  whar  axed  her  ter  have  'im; 
an'  she'd  say  ter  husse'f,  ^My  Ian',  my  Ian' !  seem  lak  de 
soun'  er  dat  wind  jes'  lonesomes  me  ter  def !' 

"She  had  a  heap  er  bodderments,  too.  De  hawks  an' 
de  minks  an'  de  foxes  done  stole  her  chickins  outside 
de  house,  an'  de  rats  an'  de  mouses  dey  gnorred  her 
cawn  an'  her  'taters  inside  de  house,  'twel  she  say : 
^Humph !  seem  lak  I  jes'  livin'  dese  days  fer  ter  raise 
truck  ter  feed  de  varmints  wid.  'Pears  lak  dev  done 
j'ine  in  cahoots  fer  de  puppus  er  starvin'  me  outer  dese 
diggin's.  Ain'  lef  me  'nuff  ter  do  me  'twel  nex'  crap, 
let  'lone  seed-cawn  an'  seed-'taters.' 

"Sidesen  dat,  she  wuz  'feard  er  de  rats  an'  de  mouses, 
mo'  'special  de  mouses,  an'  dey  wuz  smart  'nuff  ter  know 
dat,  'kase  de  creeturs  alluz  seem  ter  know  w'en  folks  is 
'feard  un  'em,  so  dey  jes'  put  derse'fs  ter  wu'k  ter  lead 
dat  ooman  a  darnse.  Dey'd  set  an'  watch  her  f'um  der 
holes  an'  den  scoot  out  an'  run  ris^ht  'cross  her  footses 
an'  mek  her  screech  an'  gadder  her  skirts  up,  an'  den 
dey'd  go  down  in  der  holes  ag'in  an'  laugh  an'  snicker 
toge'rr  'bout  '^dat  fool  ooman  in  de  room  up  yonner.' 
Dey  dogged  'er  an' 'tripped  'er  up,  an'  jumped  out  at 

217 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

'er  fum  behime  things,  an'  hid  in  de  meal-bag  an'  run 
out  at  'er  w'en  she  went  ter  git  de  meal,  an'  dar  wuz 
no  een'  ter  der  gwines-on.  Las'  dey  got  plumb  owdacious, 
an'  at  night,  atter  de  ooman  done  gone  ter  baid  dey'd 
hoi'  reg'ler  jamborees,  eatin'  her  cawn  an'  'taters  right 
spang  bef o'  her  face  an'  eyes,  an'  scootin'  an'  scamperin' 
an'  squeakin'  'twel  she  cu'dden  git  her  natchel  slum- 
bers. She'd  lay  dar  quakin'  an'  shaken'  an'  trem'lin', 
'spectin'  ev'y  minnit  dat  de  sassy  li'l  cusses  'ud  climb 
up  on  de  baid. 

"One  night  dey  got  mo'  rambunkshus  dan  uver  befo'.- 
Dey  played  pussy-wants-a-cornder  an'  blin'-man's-bluf? 
all  over  de  room,  an'  hide-an'-seek  in  de  sugar-bowl  an' 
bread-box,  an'  tagged  one  nu'rr  all  roun'  de  aidges  er 
de  milk  pans.  Den  dey  got  tired  an'  sot  down  fer  a 
minnit  ter  ketch  der  wind  an'  study  w'at  debilment  dey 
kin  do  nex'.  All  ter  onct,  de  ring-leader,  a  mighty 
scampish  li'l  chap,  sot  up  suddintly  on  his  behime  laigs 
an'  f  otched  a  loud  squeak,  an'  sezee :  '^Heyo,  boys !  yer's 
whar  I  gwine  have  fun  wid  de  ol'  gal  up  yonner  in  de 
baid.    Does  any  un  you  dast  me  ter  do  hit  ?' 

"Co'se  dey  gin  him  a  dyare  torreckly,  an',  wid  dat,  he 
spit  on  his  ban's  an'  tucken  a  run  an'  a  jump  an'  skunt 
up  de  bed-pos'  clean  ter  de  top,  an'  den  he  sung  out : 

'One  fer  de  money,  tivo  fer  de  sliow, 
Th'ee  ter  melc  raidy  an  fo'  fer  ter  go;' 

an'  wid  dat  he  turnt  a  han'-spring  smack  down  outer 
de  ooman.  Dat  'uz  too  much  fer  her ;  she  gin  a  yell  lak 
a  wil'  Injin  an'  bounced  outer  baid  right  in  de  midse 
er  de  mouses  an'  skeert  'em  inter  de  holes;  but  w'en 

218 


THE    ORIGIX    OF    THE    CAT 

dey  wuz  safe  inside  dey  sot  dar  pokin'  der  haids  out 
an'  twitchin'  der  whiskers  at  'er. 

"  ^Xow  ain'  dis  jes'  too  much  I'  she  say;  '^nie  dat  bin 
feedin'  an'  housin'  dcse  li'l  rapscallions  right  erlong. 
Look  lak  dey  mought  lemme  "lone  wen  sleepin'  time 
come/  an'  dar  she  sot  trem'lin'  an'  wringin'  her  han's 
an'  callin'  on  de  Lawd  ter  he'p  her. 

"  'Twuz  a  pow'f ul  col'  night,  an'  pres'n'y  she  yearn 
a  monst'ous  scrunchin'  on  de  snow,  de  way  you  kin 
3'ear  hit  w'en  de  wedder  is  col'  an'  cle'r.  De  steps  come 
closeter  an'  closeter,  an,  hit  soun'  lak  de  hills  an'  de 
mountains  had  tucken  ter  deyse'fs  footses  an'  wuz  com- 
in'  to'des  her.  Las'  de  steps  stop  befo'  de  house  an' 
dar  come  a  knock  on  de  do'  dat  soun'  lak  thunder,  an' 
de  ooman'  so  pa'h'ze  dat  she  sca'celv  kin  sav  'Come  in.' 
She  say :  'Oh  me,  oh  my !  w'at  gwine  happen  ter  me, 
now !  Ef  'tain'  one  thing  hit's  anu'rr.  Seem  lak  dar's 
no  een'  ter  de  troubles  er  po'  lone  wimmin !'  Wid  dat 
she  fell  to  cryin'  ag'in. 

"Den  de  do'  fiew'd  open  an'  dar  stood  de  Lawd  his- 
se'f  come  ter  he'p  de  ooman.  She  wuz  so  faintyfied  dat 
she  cu'dden  raise  husse'f  f'um  de  iio',  but  de  Lawd  ain' 
fault  'er  fer  dat,  'kase  in  co'se  He  knowed  jes'  how  she 
wuz  feelin'.  He  ain'  say  nuttin'  't  all,  jes'  tucken  de 
gre't  fur  glove  f'um  His  han'  an'  thowed  hit  on  de  flo' 
whar  de  mouses  bin,  an'  lo  beholst  you !  hit  'gun  ter 
wiggle  an'  squ'm  a  li'l,  an'  de  ooman's  eyes  'mence  ter 
bulge  w'en  she  see  dat.  She  rub  'em  onct  er  twict  an' 
say  ter  husse'f,  'Laws-a-mussy !  is  my  eyes  done  'ceive 
me,  er  is  dat  glove  a-movin'?'  Hit  sut'n'y  wuz,  an' 
w'at's  mo',  right  w'iles  she  wuz  lookin',  she  seed  de 
thumb  turn  inter  a  tail  an'  de  fingers  into  fo'  laigs  an' 

219 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

de  ga'ntlet  inter  a  haid,  an'  de  creetur  'gun  ter  strotch 
hitse'f  an'  wu'k  hits  claws  an'  sniff  at  de  mouse  traclvs, 
an'  pres'n'y  hit  made  a  spring  at  one'r  de  li'l  skeezicks 
whar  done  poked  his  haid  out  too  fur,  so's't  he  cu'd  look 
at  de  stranger,  an',  bless  goodness,  de  creetur  ketched 
dat  mouse  in  a  twinklin'  an'  gin  him  one  sho'-'nuff 
bite  an'  a  good  raggin'  roun'  an'  come  an'  laid  'im 
down,  stone  daid,  in  front  er  de  ooman,  jes'  ter  show 
her  w'at  he  cu'd  do  fer  her. 

"She  wuz  so  might'ly  please'  dat  she  tucken  de  cat — 
'kase  dat  w'at  'twuz — in  her  arms  an'  'menced  muchin' 
hit,  huggin'  hit  an'  strokin'  hits  fur  an'  callin'  hit  pet 
names,  an'  de  cat  wuz  so  please',  too,  'kase  hit  seed  hit 
done  mek  a  fren',  dat  hit  jes'  squat  right  down  in 
her  lap  an'  'mence  ter  sing  an'  purr;  an'  dat  de  way 
cats  bin  doin'  uver  sence,  w'en  dey  feels  right  good  an' 
fren'ly.  Hit  mek  dat  noise  so  much,  dat  las'  de  ooman 
go  dat-a-way,  too,  w'en  she  wanter  call  hit,  an'  de  cat 
got  ter  thinkin'  dat  wuz  hits  name  an'  come  a-runnin' 
ev'y  time,  so  de  ooman  she  say  she  b'lieve  she  name  de 
cat  ^Purree.' 

"De  ooman  done  fergot  dat  de  Lawd  wuz  stannin'  in 
de  do',  an'  w'en  she  turn  roun'  ter  thank  Him,  de  do' 
wuz  shet  an'  'twan't  no  one  dar,  an'  she  think  mebbe 
she  done  dream  hit  all.  But  'twan't  no  dream,  an'  dis 
w'at  prove  hit ;  down  unter  dis  day  de  cats  hunches  der- 
sef's  up  w'en  dey  gits  mad,  jes'  fer  all  de  worl'  de  way 
de  fingers  clinch  up  to'des  de  han'  w'en  folks  gits  mad 
'bout  sump'n  ru'rr,  an'  down  unter  dis  day  de  wimmins 
is  still  'feard  er  de  mouses,  mos'  un  'em,  an'  I  'spec'  dat's 
w'y  dey  kyare  mo'  fer  cats  dan  de  men-folks  does, — ^mo^ 


220 


THE    OPJGIX    OF    THE    CAT 


^special  de  ol'  maids  an'  lone  wimmin  in  ginT,  dey  is 
plumb  sot  on  'em/' 

Aunt  Xanc}^  was  struck  by  an  afterthought  and 
added :  ^'01'  ez  dat  ol'  maid  wuz^  I  boun'  you  dar  wuz 
one  thing  she  tuck  good  kyare  not  ter  do,  an'  dat  vuz 
nuver  ter  tromple  on  dat  cat's  tail." 

"Why  not.  Aunt  ISTancy  ?"  asked  Janey. 

^W'y,  honeys/'  said  she,  "ain'  you  nuver  year  tell 
dat  ef  you  tromple  on  a  cat's  tail  you  neenter  'spec'  ter 
git  ma'ied  dat  year  ?  Co'se  she  ain'  gwine  git  on  de  cat's 
tail  ef  she  kin  he'p  hit." 


"1 


221 


THE  DRAGOX  AXD  THE  THUNDER 

One  day  when  the  children  were  down  near  Aunt 
^Phrony's  cabin,  Ned  killed  a  harmless  snake  of  consid- 
erable  length  with  which  he  proceeded  to  give  himself, 
boy  fashion,  a  great  deal  of  amusement  by  swinging  it 
around  perilously  near  to  Janey  and  little  Kit,  who 
shrieked  and  retired  to  a  safe  distance,  yet,  impelled 
by  a  fearful  fascination,  drew  near  again  and  again  to 
be  routed  anew  by  Ned^s  uncanny  plaything.  Having 
reduced  his  victims  to  the  verge  of  tears,  he  promised 
to  keep  the  dead  snake  within  bounds,  and  said  he  was 
going  to  take  it  to  Aunt  ^Phrony  and  get  her  to  measure 
it  for  him. 

Aunt  'Phrony  proved  to  be  no  great  friend  to  snakes. 
She  brought  out  a  rude  yardstick  and  told  Ned  to  do 
his  own  measuring.  "I  ain'  gwine  fetch  dat  thing,  Meed 
I  ain',"  she  declared.  "I  got  no  use  fer  snakes,  nohows. 
I  bin  dat-a-way  uver  sence  I  kin  ^member.  Jes'  lemme 
meet  up  wid  Mistah  Snake  in  de  i^af  an'  I  gin  him  all 
de  room  w'at  dey  is.  I  don'  stop  ter  pass  de  time  er  day 
wid  him ;  I  jes'  open  my  mouf  an'  gin  a  beller,  an'  den 
lif  up  my  dress  an'  shake  de  skirts,  an'  den  my  footses 
do  lak  dey  have  wings  to  'em  an'  kyar'  me  outen  dat 
widout  me  sca'cely  puttin'  'em  ter  de  groun'.  Shoo-oo ! 
go  'way  snakes !" 

"Ho,"  said  Ned,  contemptuously,  "I  don't  see  any- 

222 


THE    DRAGOX    AXD    THE    THUXDER 

thing  about  snakes  to  make  people  act  that  way.  A^iat 
makes  you  so  afraid  of  them  ?" 

^^Has  I  to?  YOU  I'se  ^feard  un  'em?  I  dunno'z  I  is. 
I  jes'  do  so  widout  stoppin'  ter  think  ef  I  is  'feard  er 
ef  I  isn'.  I  don'  teck  time  ter  git  skeered.  I  dunno  w'y 
I  ac's  lak  dat,  'thouten  mebbe  hit's  'kase  my  mammy 
useter  tell  me  'bout  dat  ol'  sarpint  whar  temp'  Mis' 
EYe  in  de  gyardin',  an'  lak  ez  not  w'en  I  come  'cross 
one  hit  run  thu  my  min'  dat  mebbe  hit's  de  01'  Boy 
hisse'f  comin'  fer  ter  temp'  me.  Sidesen  dat,  w'en  I 
wuz  a  li'l  ofal  niY  daddY  useter  skeer  me  tellin'  me 
'bout  a  big  ol'  snake  whar  dey  calls  a  dragon." 

'^'What's  a  dwagon,  Aunt  'Phrony?"  asked  Kit. 

"Well,  hone}^,"  she  said,  "ez  near  ez  I  kin  mek  hit 
out,  a  dragon  is  one'r  dese  yer  w'atcher-ma3'-call-'ems 
dat's  easier  ter  name  dan  'tis  ter  'splain.  Anyhows, 
daddy  useter  say  'twuz  a  gre't  long  snake  wid  monst'ous 
eyes  an'  seben  big  spots  on  hits  body,  an'  you  kain't 
ketch  hit  an'  you  kain't  git  'way  f'um  hit,  an',  'lessen 
3'ou  do  lak  de  man  in  de  story  done,  you  kain't  kill  liit." 

"I  wonder  what  the  man  did,"  remarked  Janey  to 
no  one  in  particular.  Aunt  'Phrony  pretended  not  to 
hear,  while  she  lit  her  pipe  and  puffed  away  in  silence 
for  a  few  moments.  Then  she  settled  herself  back  in 
her  splint-bottomed  chair,  slowly  blew  out  a  ring  of 
smoke  and  began  the  stor}\ 

"De  man  in  de  tale,"  she  said,  "wuz  a  hunter  whar 
bin  out  after  b'ar.  He  wuz  gwine  'long  thu  de  big 
mountains  w'en  he  Yearn  a  turr'ble  noise,  so  loud  dat 
hit  soun'  lak  de  mountains  done  tore  de  hills  up  an' 
wuz  chunkin'  'em  at  one  nu'rr.  De  man  'gin  ter  git 
skeered  an'  trimmle  lak  a  aspum,  but  yit  he  git  nearer 

223 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

an'  nearer^  an'  de  noise  git  louder  an'  louder,  an'  las' 
he  seed  'twuz  a  Dragon  fightin'  wid  de  Thunder.  De 
two  wuz  so  tankle'  up  wid  one  nu'rr  dat  de  man  kain't 
see  de  Dragon's  haid,  w'ich  'twuz  well  fer  him  he  kain't. 
But  Dragon  see  him  an'  call  out  ter  him  fer  he'p.  He 
say:  Tlease,  Mistah  Man,  ter  come  yer  an'  he'p  me 
gin  Thunder  sump'n  dat'll  keep  him  quiet  fer  one  w'ile. 
Gwine  roun'  yer,  he  is,  strakin'  de  trees  an'  killin'  de 
beas'eses  an'  doin'  all  sawts  er  mischief  !  Fus'  you  know, 
he  gwine  strak  you  daid  some  dese  days,  'fo'  you  kin  tell 
w'at  kilt  you.' 

"Den  de  Thunder  he  call  out  ter  de  man  in  a  gre't 
big  voice  dat  mek  de  yearf  trimmle,  an'  he  say,  he  do : 
^Boom  !  Boom  ! !  Brr-oom  ! ! !  Lissen  at  me,  Mistah 
Man !  You  bes'  he'p  me  outen  dis  scrape.  Ef  you  h'ep 
Dragon  hit  gwine  be  wusser  fer  you,  'kase  ef  you  git 
one  good  look  at  'im,  right  in  de  eye,  you  boun'  ter  die ; 
no  he'p  fer  hit.  Folks  whar  sees  a  dragon  mought  ez 
well  turn  up  der  toes  right  den  an'  dar.' 

"Man  he  study  an'  he  study.  He  say  ter  hisse'f,  sezee : 
'Well,  dish  yer  a  pooty  kittle  er  fish!  Ef  I  he'p  de 
Thunder,  lak  ez  not  he  gwine  fergit  'bout  hit  'an  strak 
me  daid  some  time  er  ru'rr.  An'  ef  I  he'p  Dragon  I 
hatter  look  him  in  de  face  atterwu'ds,  an'  dat  'ud  be  de 
een'  uv  me.  'Pears  lak-w'ichuver  way  I  jump  I  mought 
git  f'um  de  fryin'-pan  inter  de  fire.' 

"Las'  he  made  up  his  min'  dat  he'd  have  a  better 
chanct  wid  de  Thunder.  By  dat  time  Dragon  done  got 
de  Thunder  all  tied  up,  jes'  wropped  hisse'f  roun'  an' 
roun'  him.  Thunder  ffittin'  kind  er  choky  an'  shawt  er 
bref,  but  he  mek  out  ter  call  ter  de  man,  in  a  rumbly 
voice  dat  soun'  lak  'twuz  dyin'  'way  'mongs'  de  moun- 

224 


THE    DEAGOX    AXD    THE    THUXDER 

tains:  'Oh,  ^listali  Man  I  Please,  ^listali  ^lan,  git  me 
onloose  f  um  dis  onofawdlv  creetur.  Shoot  him  in  de 
sebent  spot,  suh,  dat"ll  f  otch  him ;  shoot  him  in  de  sebent 
potr 

So  de  Imnter  he  np  an'  shoot  de  Dragon  spang  in 
de  sebent  spot,  an'  dat  onloose  de  Thunder.  Dragon 
bin  hol'"in'  on  so  hard  dat  w'en  he  let  go,  de  Thunder 
riz  cle'r  np  inter  de  clouds  an'  den  fell  down  ag'in  wid 
a  crash  an'  a  smash  an'  a  bang  right  outer  de  Dragon 
an'  tored  him  inter  sassidge-meat. 

"Den  de  Thunder  he  sav  ter  de  hunter :  'Er-um ! 
Dr-um  I  Bum  I  Mistah  ^lan,  dish,  yer  a  mighty  good 
day's  wu'k  you  done  fer  me  an'  fer  de  people  er  dish 
ver  In^ountrv,  'kase  dat  Drao-on  bin  sjwine  'roun'  mekin' 
a  noosance  uy  hisse'f .  Xow,  suh,  'kase  you  done  bin  my 
fren'  dis  day,  I  gwine  do  sump'n  fer  you.  I  gin  you 
mv  wu'd  dat  you  kin  come  an'  you  kin  2fo  thu  de  storms 
an'  I  ain'  orpine  tetcli  nair'  hYa'r  er  yo'  haid.  Sidesen 
dat,  I  gwine  gin  you  de  power  ter  strak  de  trees  an' 
kill  'em,  same'z  I  kin.  Wat's  mo',  w'en  you  goes  inter 
battle  an'  yo'  inimies  seem  lak  dey  gwine  git  de  bes' 
UY  you,  jes'  3'ou  call  'pun  my  name  an'  you  gwine  OYcr- 
come  'em  CY'y  time.  Xo  man  kin  stan'  uj)  'gins'  de 
Thunder.    Son,  3^ou  year  me ;  de  wu'd  bin  spoken.' 

"Den  de  hunter  say  ter  hisse'f,  sezee :  'Um-umph  I  I 
reckon  I  bes'  moscY  'lono;  outen  dis,  'kase  I  kaint  tell 
how  soon  ol'  man  Thunder  mousfht  chano'e  his  min'. 
He  feelin'  right  good  an'  sore  jes'  now  f'um  de  quiles 
er  dat  Dragon,  but  how  does  I  know  w'at  he  gwine 
do  w'en  he  git  OYcr  dat  ?  I  bes'  quit  'im  w'ile  he's  feelin' 
a  li'l  doncey.'  So  he  mek  his  manners  an'  kotch  up  de 
b'ar-meat  an'  putt  out  right  sma'tually  f'um  dat,  an'  I 

225 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

a  in'  so  sho'  but  w'at  he  tuck  an'  bruk  inter  a  run  soon 
ez  he  got  roun'  a  bend  in  cle  mountains.'' 

The  story  finished,  Ned  returned  to  his  snake  and 
was  about  to  cut  it  up  to  see  if  the  separate  pieces  would 
wriggle,  as  he  had  heard  that  they  would  do,  when 
Aunt  'Phrony  warned  him  to  desist. 

"Souls  an'  bodies,  chil' !"  she  exclaimed,  "you  better 
stop  cuttin'  dat  snake  ter  pieces.  Ef  you  wuz  ter  do  dat, 
an'  lef  de  pieces  yer,  ev'y  snake  dat  wuz  a  fren'  er  dat 
un  w'ile  'twuz  livin'  'ud  come  quilin'  'long  up  yer  ter 
git  de  pieces  an'  try  an'  putt  'em  toge'rr  ag'in.  I  ain' 
want  my  back  yard  ter  git  full  er  dem  squ'mmy  things, 
so  I  jes'  ax  you  ag'in  ter  lef  dat  snake  be,  'kase  I  know 
w'at  I'se  talkin'  'bout ;  hit's  de  sho'-'nuff  trufe." 


326 


THE  TLA^^IWA 


"My  mamma  told  me/'  said  Ned  at  the  close  of  the 
dragon  story,  "that  there  were  no  such  things  as  drag- 
ons ;  people  just  made  it  up  about  them." 

"Look-a-3Tr,  chil'/'  said  Aunt  'Phrony,  "I  ain' 
wanter  raise  no  'spute  wid  yo'  maw,  but  she  done  Tart 
w'at  she  know  f  um  books,  an'  I  done  I'arn  w'at  I  know 
outside  er  books.  Dese  yer  writin'  men  kain't  putt 
nuttin'  inter  books  but  w'at  dey  fus'  git  f  um  de  outside, 
an'  dey  ain'  putt  de  hull  'varsil  worl'  inter  books  yit, 
not  by  a  long  ways.  Yo'  maw  got  her  book  I'arnin',  I 
got  my  eye-an'-ear  I'arnin',  an'  I  knows  dis:  dar  bin  all 
sorts  er  creeturs  an'  all  sorts  er  doin's  in  de  ol'  days, 
an'  mebbe  ef  you  s'arch  up  an'  down  de  yearf  an'  inter 
all  de  deep  holes  an'  fur-off  cornders,  you  mought*  fin' 
some  un  'em  yit.  Sho !  my  paw  seed  wid  his  own  eyes 
de  ve'y  nes'  whar  one  un  'em  useter  live;  de  Tlaniwa, 
dey  call  hit. 

"De  Tlaniwa,"  she  explained,  "wuz  a  gre't  big  bu'd; 
bigger,  yas,  ten  times  bigger'n  any  bu'd  whar  live  on  de 
yearf  dese  days.  Wen  I  wuz  a  li'l  young'un  my  paw 
useter  tell  me,  w'en  I  wuz  norty,  dat  de  Tlaniwa  gwine 
git  me  ef  I  ain'  'have  myse'f.  Hits  nes'  wuz  half-way 
up  de  face  uv  a  clift  on  de  Chilhowee  mountain,  wid 
de  Te?inessee  river  roarin'  right  b'low,  so  dat  'twuz  on- 
poss'bl'  ter  climb  up  ter  hit,  an'   de  on'ies'  way  ter 

227 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

reacli  hit  vriiz  ter  go  roiin'  an'  climb  de  mountain  f  um 
de  back  an'  let  yo^se'i  down  de  face  er  de  clift.  De 
Tlaniv/a  an'  his  mate  felt  mighty  safe  in  de  nes',  an' 
dey  live  on  dai%  'ear  in  an'  'ear  out,  raisin'  der  chillen 
an'  flyin'  all  roun'  de  naberhoods  grabbin'  np  sheep  an' 
lambs  ter  feed  der  young'uns,  an'  nabbin'  up  young  chil- 
len, too,  w'en  dey  cu'd  git  'em,  fer  dey  thought  chillen 
mek  better  eatin'  dan  anvthino^  else.  My,  mv !  but 
dem  wuz  pow'ful  bu'ds !  Wen  dey  spread  der  wings 
ter  fl}^  hit  hide  de  sun  an'  ev'ything  grow  dark,  an' 
w'en  dey  swoop  thu  de  air  de  wind  rush  by  so  swif  hit 
seem  lak  a  storm  wuz  comin'.  Folks  try  ter  kill  'em, 
but  dey  alluz  git  away,  an'  dey  scream  an'  holler  an' 
claw  an'  beat  de  air  wid  der  wings  'twel  ev'y  pusson 
glad  ter  leave  'em  'lone,  fer  dey  wuz  so  big  dat  dey  cu'd 
kill  even  de  growed-up  folks  widout  half  tryin'. 

"Dar  wuz  a  ooman  in  dat  kyountry  done  have  two 
uv  her  chillen  stole  by  de  Tlaniwa,  an'  at  fus'  she  go 
roun'  mo'nin'  an'  groanin'  an'  kyar'yin'  on,  but  after 
w'ile  she  say  to  husse'f,  *I  gr^dne  show  dese  men  roun' 
yer  w'at  a  ooman  kin  do  w'en  she  try.  I  gwine  redd  de 
kyountry  er  dem  mis'able  bu'ds  ef  I  git  kilt  doin'  hit. 
Dar  ain'  gwine  be  no  mo'  po',  innercent  li'l  chillen 
chawed  up  ter  mek  vittles  fer  dem  owdacious  bu'ds.' 

"She  tuck  an'  tuck  a  string  an'  tied  sticks  all  erlong 
hit  an'  made  a  swingin'  ladder.  Den  she  go  roun'  ter 
de  back  er  de  mountain  whar  'tain'  so  steep  an'  she 
climb  an'  she  climb  'twel  she  reach  de  top.  She  look 
over  de  aidge  er  de  clift  an'  seed  dat  de  ol'  bu'ds  wuz 
off  de  nes',  gone  'way  som'ers  ter  git  vittles  .fer  de 
young'uns,  so  she  fasten  her  ladder  to  a  tree  near  de 


228 


THE    TLANIWA 

aidge,  an^  den  she  climb  down,  down,  down,  swingin' 
Vay  out  over  de  deep,  dark  river,  ^twel  she  reach  de 
nes\  She  kill  de  younsf  bu'ds  an'  th'ow  'em  in  de 
river,  an'  fas'  ez  she  th'ow  'em  down  a  monst'ons  big 
snake  riz  np  f  um  de  water  an'  swallowed  'em  whole. 

"Den  de  ooman  she  go  an'  hide  in  a  safe  place  an' 
watch  w'at  de  ol'  bu'ds  gwine  do.  Pres'n'y  one  nv 
'em  come  back  wid  a  young  chiF  in  her  claws,  an' 
w'en  she  seed  her  li'l  uns  wuz  gone  she  mek  a  turr'bl' 
fuss  an'  g'long  off  ter  fin'  her  mate  an'  tell  him  de  bad 
news.  He  come  back  wid  her,  an'  de  two  went  succlin' 
an'  swoopin'  an'  screamin'  roun'  de  nes'.  ^Uh-huh !' 
sez  de  ooman  to  husse'f  w'en  she  yearn  de  bu'ds  mo'nin' 
an'  cryin' ;  '^uh-huh !  reckon  you-all  knows  by  dis  time 
how  hit  feels  ter  have  yo'  chillen  stole  an'  et  up  inter 
de  bargum.  You  kin  succle  an'  sweep  an'  swoop,  an' 
you  kin  scream  an'  holler  an'  beat  yo'  wings,  but  you 
kain't  git  back  yo'  chillen  any  mo'n  I  kin  git  back  mine 
whar  you  done  stole  an'  et,'  an'  she  went  on  dat.-away 
fer  a  long  time,  shakin'  her  fis'  an'  moufin'  at  de 
Tlaniwa. 

"De  snake  he  r'ared  his  haid  up  outen  de  water  ter 
see  w'at  mekin'  all  de  fuss.  Dar  whar  Mi  stall  Snake 
mek  a  mistake,  'kase  de  bu'ds  seed  'im  an'  made  up  der 
min's  dat  he  wuz  de  one  whar  kilt  der  li'l  'uns.  ^Mis'a- 
ble,  'ceitful,  sneakin',  slidin'  wretch,'  says  de  Tlaniwa, 
sezee,  S^er  me  bin  feedin'  you  wid  de  bones  an'  de  leav- 
in's  all  dis  time,  an'  yer  you  done  pay  me  by  goin'  ter 
wu'k  an'  swollerin'  my  chillen.  Gwine  teck  hit  outer 
yo'  hide  an'  tailor !  Gwine  mek  minch-meat  outen  you 
'fo'  you  kin  whisp  dat  ugly  tail  er  yo'n.' 


229 


AT    THE    BIG   HOUSE 

"Wicl  dat  ol'  Snake  he  'gun  ter  slip  an'  slide  thu  de 
water,  but  he  cu'dden  he'p  r'arin'  his  haid  up  an'  stick- 
in  out  his  oF  fork-ed  tono^ue  at  de  Tlaniwa.  Dar  whar  he 
wuz  mistooken  ag'in,  fer  de  Tlaniwa  swoop  down  lak  a 
streak  er  lightnin'  an'  snatch  him  by  de  neck  an'  kyar' 
him  high  up  in  de  air,  mos'  ter  de  clouds.  01'  Snake 
lie  wiggle,  he  twis',  lie  turn,  lie  squ'm  I  but  he  cu'dden 
git  'way.  ^No  use,  my  squ'mmin'  f  ren','  sez  de  Tlaniwa, 
sezee,  ^bes'  say  yo'  pra'rs,  'kase  yer  whar  I  gwine  show 
YOU  w'at  a  wufiess  w'um  er  de  worl'  you  is.'  Wid  dat, 
his  mate  she  come  an'  tucken  her  beak  an'  cut  pieces 
offen  de  Snake  w'iles  he  wuz  hangin'  f  um  tu'rr  bu'd's 
mouf,  an'  let  'em  drap  outer  de  rocks  below.  Dey  went 
swishin'  thu  de  air  an'  fell  ker-smack  outer  de  stone, 
an'  dey  fell  so  fur  an'  so  hard  dat  dey  done  mek  deep 
holes  in  de  rock.  Wat's  mo',  de  pieces  turnt  ter  stone 
atter  w'ile,  an'  daddy  say  he  done  seed  de  holes,  an' 
done  chipped  pieces  er  de  Snake  outen  de  rock.  An'  ef 
you  wuz  ter  go  right  now  ter  ol'  Chilhowee,  I  boun' 
you'd  see  de  same  thing  in  de  rocks  at  de  foot  er  de 
mountain  whar  de  river  run  deep  an'  strong. 

"De  bu'ds  dey  lef  de  nes',  'kase  dey  see  'twan't  no 
fitten  place  ter  raise  der  young  uns,  an'  dey  wan't  nuver 
seed  no  mo'  in  dat  kyountry.  De  ooman  go  home  an' 
tell  'em  w'at  she  done  an'  de  people  wuz  mighty  glad. 
She  tell  her  chillen  an'  her  chillen's  chillen  'bout  dem 
monst'ous  bu'ds,  so't  de  people  ain'  nuver  fergot  'em, 
an'  daddy  say  all  de  Injun  wimmins  useter  skeer  der 
chillen  w'en  dey  wuz  norty,  tellin'  'em  de  Tlaniwa 
gwine  ketch  'em.  Pity  dar  ain'  no  tlaniwas  in  dese  days 
ter  skeer  chillen  whar  goes  roun'  teasin'  de  dogs  an' 
worryin'  de  cats  whar  ain'  done  'em  no  harm."    Here 

230 


THE    TLAXIWA 

the  old  woman  looked  a  sly  reproof  at  !N'ed,  who  had  the 
*Jay  before  been  unfeeling  and  disrespectful  to  the  two 
cherished  companions  of  her  old  age :  Snip,  the  cat, 
and  Snap,  the  dog. 


231 


THE  TOSSUM  AND  THE  GEUB-WOEM 


Janey  was  a  veritable  little  woman  in  tact  and  shrewd- 
ness^ and  when  she  heard  Ned  accused  of  incivilities  to 
Snip  and  Snap,  she  hastened  to  turn  attention  from 
him  by  saying  the  first  thing  that  came  into  her  head. 
"Oh,  Aunt  Throny/'  she  cried,  "you  haven't  told  us 
anything  about  the  Tossum  for  a  long  time.  Don't 
3^ou  know  any  more  stories  about  him  ?'^ 

If  'Phrony  saw  through  the  simple  device  by  which 
Janey  meant  to  kill  two  birds  with  one  stone,  she  made 
no  sign,  but  obligingly  racked  her  brains  for  more  news 
of  the  'Possum's  doings.  At  length  she  was  able  to  re- 
member a  story  about  "Mis'  'Possum"  and  "Mistah 
Grub-wu'm." 

"Dey  wuz  bofe  un  'em  mighty  fat  folks,  an'  lak  lots 
er  fat  folks,  dey  wuz  right  lazy  an'  nuver  go  nowhars 
dey  ain'  hatter  go,  jes'  mosey  roun'  a  li'l  ter  git  der 
vittles  an'  stav  still  at  home  de  res'  er  de  time,  w'ile 
tu'rr  creeturs  all  time  traipsin'  an'  trollopin'  up  an' 
down  de  kyountry  ter  see  w'at  dey  kin  see  an'  year  w'at 
dev  kin  year  an'  do  w'at  dev  kin  do.  ^lis'  'Possum  she 
stay  in  a  holler  tree  an'  snooge  de  time  away,  an'  Mistah 
Grub-wu'm  he  snuggle  down  jes'  beneaf  de  top  er  de 
groun'  an'  dream  'bout  de  time  he  gwine  turn  inter  a 
beetle  an'  live  on  top  de  groun'." 

"Do  grubs  turn  into  beetles?"  asked  Ned,  rather  in- 
credulously. 

233 


mis'     'POSSIAF    SHE    STAN'    IN    HKK    IJU  * 


THE    TOSSOI    AXD    THE    GEUB-WOEM 

"Yas,  suh,  (lat  dey  does !  dish  yer  one  w'at  I  tell  *bout, 
he  lavs  low  un'need  de  vearf  'twel  May  er  June  an'  den 
comes  out  an"  turns  inter  one'r  dese  yer  poct}^  green 
an'  brown  l^eetles  whar  dey  calls  ^June  beetles' :  de  kin' 
chillen  ketches  an'  sets  ter  junin'." 

Of  course  the  little  folks  wanted  to  know  what 
"junin' "  was. 

"Laws-a-mussy  I"  said  'Phron}^  "I  thought  all  chillen 
knowed  how  ter  June  a  bug.  Wy,  you  jes'  tecks  de  beetle 
an'  ties  a  strins"  to  'im  an'  hoi's  on  ter  one  een'  er  de 
string  an'  lets  him  fly  ter  de  urr  een'  er  de  string,  an' 
den  he  hums  an'  buzzes  an'  fusses  an'  cusses,  an'  dat's 
w'at  de}'  calls  *^ junin'.' 

"Xow,  den,  lemme  start  ag'in.  I  done  tol'  you  dat 
Mistah  Grub-wu'm  an'  Mis'  'Possum  wuz  bofe  un  'em 
fat  an'  lazy  an'  lak  ter  stay  home.  But  dey  mio^hty  fond 
er  knowin'  w'at  gwine  on  in  de  worl',  an'  w'en  tu'rr 
creeturs  go  ter  de  kyouncil  ter  'tend  ter  de  'fairs  er  de 
kyountry,  dese  yer  stay-at-homes  ain'  gin  'em  no  peace, 
w'en  dey  git  back,  pesterin'  'em  wid  queschins  'bout 
w'at  went  on  at  de  kyouncil.  One  time  some  er  de  cree- 
turs wuz  gwine  by  f'um  de  meetin',  an'  Mis'  'Possum 
she  stan'  in  her  do'  an'  hail  'em  an'  ax  'em  fer  ter  come 
in  an'  set  a  w'ile. 

"Dey  ses,  '  'Scuse  we-all,  ma'am,  we  'bleeged  fer  ter 
be  gittin'  on,'  an'  dey  ses  ter  one  nu'rr  behime  der  ban's : 
^Land !  land !  le's  mek  has'e  an'  git  outer  dis  er  dat 
ooman'll  nab  us  an'  nail  us  ter  de  cheers  all  night.' 

"Mis'  'Possum  she  say,  sez  she:  ^Gemmen,  I  ain' 
gr^'ine  teck  no  fer  a  arnser.  You-all  mus'  be  plumb 
frazzle  out  wid  yo'  walk.  You  mus'  come  in  an'  teck  off 
jo'  shoes  an'  res'  yo'  hufs,  an'  den  lemme  gin  you  a 

233 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

plate  er  'simmons  an'  a  glass  er  buttermilk.  Xow,  you 
year  me,  I  ain'  gwine  let  you  of?/ 

"De  vittles  fetched  'em,  lak  hit  alluz  does  wid  de 
men-folks,  an'  in  dey  camed.  Mis'  'Possum  she  ax  'em 
quesehins  'bout  who  wuz  dar  an'  w'at  dey  wo'  an'  w'at 
dey  have  ter  eat,  an'  w'at  laws  bin  pass',  ontwel  dey 
wuz  fair'  wil'.  Dey  git  so  wo'  out  an'  aggervex  dat  w'en 
she  go  outer  de  room  ter  fetch  de  'simmons  an'  de  but- 
termilk, dey  git  ter  collogin'  toge'rr  an'  fix  up  a  li'l 
joke  on  her.  Wen  she  come  back  she  putt  down  de 
plate  an'  de  glasses,  an'  putt  her  ban's  on  her  hips  an' 
stood  watchin'  'em  eat,  talkin'  at  'em  all  de  time. 

"  ^Dellav\'s !'  she  say,  S^'all  ain'  gin  me  no  news  wuf 
talkin'  'bout.    Is  dat  all  you  kin  'member  er  de  doin's  ?' 

"Den  one  un  'em  he  wink  at  de  res'  an'  he  say,  he  do, 
'Law,  bless  yo'  soul,  Mis'  'Possum,  I  nigh  mos'  fergit 
ter  tell  you  de  kyouncil  done  pass  a  law  dat  all  de  aner- 
muels  mus'  pervide  deyse'fs  wid  a  pouch  so's't  dey  kin 
kyar'  der  chilleh  roun'  wid  'em.' 

"  Ter  de  lan's  sake !'  sez  she,  'how  I  gwine  git  me  any 
pouch  ter  kyar'  roun'  wid  me  ?' 

"  'Xemmine,'  dey  sez ;  Ve  bring  you  de  hide ;  all  you 
gotter  do  be  ter  mek  de  pouch.' 

"So  dat  w'at  dey  do,  an'  Mis'  'Possum  she  strukken 
wid  de  notion  dat  she  save  husse'f  de  trouble  er  kvar'yin' 
de  bag  on  'er  arm  ef  she  jes'  sew  hit  to  'er  body  instid, 
so,  sho'z  yo'  bawn,  she  jes'  sew  hit  on  her  own  hide,  right 
in  front,  an'  dar  whar  she  bin  kyar'yin'  her  chillen  uver 
sence.  Tu'rr  creeturs  raise  a  big  hoot  w'en  dey  see  'er 
gwine  roun'  lak  dat,  de  onies'  one  'mongs'  'em  all  whar 
kyar'  der  young  'uns  dat-a-way. 

"Mis'  'Possum  ain'  kyare.      She  say,   'Gemmen,   de 

234 


THE    TOSSUM    AXD    THE    GRUB-WORM 

joke's  on  me  dis  time.  But  slio  !  'tain'  bodder  me.  Yon 
done  me  a  might}'  good  turn ;  dis  heap  better  dan  gwine 
roun'  totin'  my  chillen  wid  my  mouf^  de  way  some  er 
you  hatter  do  w'en  you  wanster  tote  yo'n.'  An'  so  ter 
dis  day  she  teck  her  chillen  ev'ywhar  she  go,  even  w'en 
she  go  out  ter  rob  a  hen-roos'.  Sometimes  she  lays  down 
on  de  groun'  in  de  sun,  an'  dey  walks  outer  de  pouch  an' 
climbs  all  over  her  an'  squats  down  an'  hangs  on  by 
curlin'  de  een's  er  der  long  tails  roun'  her  hya'r.  I 
done  seed  a  dozen  uv  'em  at  onct,  jes'  settin'  all  over 
der  mammy  an'  hangin'  on  by  der  tails. 

"Atter  de  creeturs  lef  Mis'  'Possum  dey  g'long  li'l 
ways  an'  met  up  wid  Mistah  Grub-wu'm,  an'  he  turnt 
to  an'  'gun  ter  pussecoot  'em  lak  she  bin  doin'.  Dey  got 
jes'  natchelly  wo'  out  wid  'im,  so  dey  went  off  a  li'l 
piece  ter  confabulate  toge'rr.  ^Now  ain'  dis  jes'  too 
much !'  dey  ses.  *^Why  n't  dis  man  go  ter  de  kyouncil 
an'  use  his  own  eyes  an'  years  ?  ^lis'able  lazybones ! 
So  fat  he  kain't  'ambulate,  broad  'z  he  is  long.' 

"One  un  'em  say  ter  tu'rrs,  ^Jes'  lef  dis  man  ter  me : 
I  gwine  show  him  huccome !'  Den  he  go  back  an'  he 
say  ter  Mistah  Grub-wu'm,  ^Mistah  Grub,  we'all  done 
fergit  ter  tell  you  de  kyouncil  done  pass  a  law  dat  all 
anermuels  mus'  crawl  on  der  backs.  Dey  say  we  bin 
gwine  roun'  wid  ow'  eyes  on  de  groun'  long  'nuff,  an' 
now  we  mus'  turn  over  an'  look  up  in  de  worl'.' 

"  ^Umph !'  sez  de  Grub-wu'm,  sezee,  ^dat  suit  me  to  a 
gnat's  bristle,  'kase  I  don'  reckon  folks  gwine  'spec'  me 
ter  git  roun'  so  fas'  ef  I  hatter  trabel  on  my  back.  I 
kin  teck  hit  easy  den,  sho'  'nuff.  Stan'  outer  de  way, 
yon-all,  yer  goes !'  Wid  dat  he  roll  over  on  his  back 
an'  try  ter  crawl.    Mighty  hard  wn'k.    He  wrassel  an'  he 

235 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

tiTSsel  an'  he  tug,  but  he  ain'  mek  no  headways.  'Whew ! 
dis  mek  me  tired,  sho'  'nuff.  I  gwine  turn  me  over  an' 
do  de  ol'  way/  sezee;  'mighty  easy  fer  folks  ter  set  up 
in  de  high  seats  an'  gin  der  orders.  I  wish  all  dem  dat 
gin  orders  hatter  try  'em  on  derse'fs  befo'  dey  kin  pass 
inter  laws.' 

"He  try  ter  turn  back  on  his  stummick,  but,  bless  yo' 
soul,  dar  wan't  no  turn  to  him.  He  huff  an'  he  puff,  but 
'twan't  no  use.  De  creeturs  dey  stood  by  an'  snickered 
an'  aiged  him  on  an'  let  on  ter  try  an'  he'p  him.  Las' 
dey  cu'dden  stan'  hit  no  longer,  an'  dey  bus'  out  laugh- 
in'  an'  sez,  'Heyo,  Mistah  Grub,  we  done  got  you  fix'  dis 
time.  Eeckon  you  won't  go  pesterin'  we-all  no  mo'  wid 
yo'  queschins  'bout  de  kyouncil.  You  hatter  trabel  all  de 
way  dar  on  yo'  back  atter  dis  ef  you  wanter  know  w'at 
gwine  on.  You  kain't  'pend  on  we-all  no  mo'.  So-long, 
ol'  man.' 

"Sence  den  ol'  Grub-wu'm  bin  doin'  all  his  walkin' 
on  his  back,  an'  he  bin  at  hit  so  long  now  dat  he  done 
got  right  spry.  Sometimes  atter  a  haivy  rain  he  come 
up  ter  de  top  er  de  groun',  an',  you  kin  see  him  jes' 
mo'n  scootin'  roun'  on  his  back. 

"Now  dat's  all  de  tales  you  gwine  git  outen  me  dis 
day.  I  is  plumb  wo'  out,  same  'z  de  creeturs  wuz  wo' 
out,  wid  queschins,"  and  the  old  woman  folded  her  hands 
and  closed  her  eyes  and  pretended  to  be  fast  asleep, 
seeing  which  her  little  auditors  stole  softly  away  on  tip- 
toe for  fear  of  waking  her. 


236 


MR.  BEAR  AXD  MR.  TERRAPIX  GO  COURTIXG 


"Yas,"  said  Aunt  Xanc}^  "one  time  Mistah  B'ar  an' 
Mistali  Tarr'pin  wuz  bofe  co'tin'  de  same  gal.  Dey  kep' 
hit  up  a  long  time,  waitin'  on  her  an^  flyin'  roun'  her, 
but  neener  uv  "em  seem  ter  git  de  inside  track.  Hit 
sut'n'y  wuz  a  sight  ter  see  ^em  gwine  on  befo'  her,  cut- 
tin'  up  shines  an'  talkin'  fas'  an'  tryin'  w'ich  kin  'trac' 
de  mos'  'tention  f'um  her.  B'ar  wuz  a  sulky  sort  er  fel- 
ler, an'  hit  look  plumb  reedikelous  ter  see  him  tryin'  ter 
run  on  an'  laugh  an'  mek  hisse'f  'greeable.  Tarr'pin  he 
mighty  slow  'bout  his  talkin'.  well  ez  his  walkin',  an' 
hit  wuz  'nuff  ter  mek  a  tiger  titter  ter  see  him  settin'  up 
tryin'  ter  slip  a  wu'd  in  aidgeways  now  an'  den.  Dey'd 
git  dar  on  de  same  night,  an'  try  ter  see  w'ich  kin  set 
tu'rr  one  out,  an'  neener  one  uv  'em  'ud  leave ;  so  'long 
'bout  ten  de  gal's  mammy  'ud  stir  roun'  in  de  nex' 
room  an'  drap  her  shoes  down  hard  on  de  fio',  an'  de  gal 
'ud  be  tucken  wid  a  fit  er  de  gaps,  an'  den  dey  knowed 
hit  wuz  time  ter  git  up  an'  mosey. 

"De  gal's  folks  useter  run  her  right  smart  'bout  her 
beaux  an'  de  way  dey  run  after  her  an'  come  roun' 
nights  an'  stuck  one  nu'rr  out,  an'  her  mammy  'ud  jes' 
shake  all  over  wid  laughin'  an'  say,  ^Gracious  ter  good- 
ness, gal  I  how  long  you  gwine  let  dem  fellers  come 
sasshayin'  roun'  you  ?  Wh^m't  you  mek  up  yo  min'  one 
way  er  tu'rr?    I  kind  er  tired  seein'  'em  toge'rr;  dey 

337 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

looks  so  cur'ous  'long  side  er  one  nu'rr.  You  sut'n'y 
got  de  long  an'  sliawt  iiv  hit  wid  yo'  beaux/ 

"Gal  git  kind  er  tired  uv  hit,  too,  but  she  ain'  seem  ter 
be  able  ter  mek  up  her  min'.  Las'  she  say  to  'em,  one 
night  w'en  'twuz  mos'  time  fer  'em  ter  leave  an'  dey  bofe 
wuz  pesterin'  her  ter  'cide  betwix'  'em,  ^Gemmen,  you  is 
bofe  so  'greeable  dat  'deed  I  kain't  mek  up  my  min' 
w'ich  ter  teck  an'  w'ich  ter  leave ;  'deed  I  kain't.  So  dis 
w'at  I  gwine  do.  Y'all  kin  start  f  um  de  cross-roads 
nex'  Friday  mawnin'  at  de  same  time,  an'  w'ichuver  one 
gits  yer  by  twelve  o'clock,  dat  de  one  I  ma'y.  But  I 
have  you  bofe  ter  know  dat  you  mus'n'  git  yer  neener 
bef o'  ner  atter ;  you  mus'  be  right  on  de  stroke  er  twelve 
er  you  kain't  be  de  winner.' 

"Dey  bofe  'greed  ter  dis  an'  went  on  home. 

"W'en  Tarr'pin  wake  Friday  mawnin'  he  gin  hisse'f 
a  stretch  an'  open  his  eyes  an'  see  'twuz  jes'  gittin'  day- 
light, an'  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  "^Shucks !  better  not  be  layin' 
yer  no  longer;  bes'  git  up  an'  dus'  ef  I  'spec'  ter  git 
dar  ahaid  er  Mistah  B'ar.  He  ain'  no  swif  trabeller, 
dat's  a  fac',  but  he's  a  mighty  soon  man  'long  side  er 
me,  so  I  bes'  slick  up  a  li'l  an'  g'long.' 

"So  he  stop  long  'nuif  ter  gin  his  shell  a  good  rubbin' 
down  'twel  hit  shined  lak  glass,  an'  den  he  sot  out  fer  de 
gal's  house. 

"Jes'  atter  sun-up  ol'  B'ar  wake  up  an'  roll  over  an' 
stretch  an'  rub  his  eyes,  an'  sezee,  fetchin'  a  big  yawn, 
^Dog-my-cats !  ef  I  don'  b'lieve  dish  yer's  de  day  fer  de 
race  'twix'  me  an'  ol'  Tarry-long  Tarr'pin.  Umph ! 
wish't  I  had  time  fer  nu'rr  li'l  snooze.  01'  Tarr'pin  so 
slow  I  b'lieve  I  gwine  turn  over  an'  try  a  li'l  nap  on  tu'rr 
side.'    Jes'  den  he  ketched  sight  uv  a  track  in  de  road 

238 


MR.  BEAR  AXD  MR.  TERRAPIX  GO  COURTIXG 

dat  go  pas'  his  house  an'  he  got  up  ter  look  at  hit.  Fus' 
hit  seem  lak  some  un  bin  draggin*  a  plank  'long  thu  de 
dus',  Init  w'en  he  'zamine  hit  he  see  de  li'l  foot-tracks 
on  bofe  sides  an'  den  he  knowed  'twuz  whar  Tarr'pin 
bin  draggin'  his  un'need  shell  thu  de  dus'.  ^Sho  I'  sezee, 
^I  better  spunk  up  an'  git  outer  dis ;  no  tellin'  how  early 
Tarr'pin  started;  he  mought  git  dar  fus'  ef  I  ain'  look 
out.' 

"So  he  gin  his  fur  a  good  rakin'  over  an'  putt  on  all 
his  bes'  fixin's  an'  set  out  for  de  gal's  house. 

"  'Fo'  he  got  ve'v  fur  he  met  up  wid  Tarr'pin  an'  sezee, 
^Hevo,  mv  f  ren',  w'at  mek  you  start  so  early  ?  'Tain'  do 
you  no  good  ter  git  dar  befo'  de  time.  Gal  say  you  mus' 
'rive  on  de  stroke  er  twelve,  neener  befo'  ner  atter.' 

"  ^Yas,  suh ;  yas,  suh,  I  knows  dat/  sez  Tarr'pin,  sezee, 
^ut  you  mus'  'member  w'at  a  slow  trabeller  I  is.  A  big 
man  lak  you,  w'at  teck  gre't  long  steps,  boun'  ter  beat 
me  ef  I  ain'  stir  my  stumps  an'  start  early.' 

"  ^So  dat's  how  de  Ian'  lays,  is  hit  ?'  sez  B'ar,  sezee. 
^Well,  ol'  man,  keep  on  ef  you  wanter,  but  I'se  'feerd  you 
have  all  dis  trabblement  fer  nuttin'.  You  mought  ez 
well  set  down  in  de  shade  an'  'j'y  yo'se'f,  'kase  I  boun' 
ter  git  dar  fus';  j^ou  ain'  got  de  ghos'  uv  a  chanct,  an' 
de  gal  knowed  dat  w'en  she  talk  'bout  de  race.  'Twuz 
jes'  her  way  uv  gettin'  shed  er  you  widout  hurtin'  yo' 
feelin's.' 

"  ^Mebbe  so,  mebbe  so/  sez  Tarr'pin,  sezee,  ^but  ef  you 
don'  min',  suh,  I  jes'  'bout  think  I  g^^ine  keep  on,  now^ 
I  got  dis  fur.' 

"Dey  tol'  one  nu'rr  ^so-long,'  an'  B'ar  he  go  on  an' 
soon  leave  ^listah  Tarr'pin  a  fur  ways  behime.  He  see 
de  sun  ain'  ve'v  hiojh  vit,  an'  he  wuz  risfht  wo'm  an'  tired, 

239 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

so  he  say  lie  b'lieve  he  lay  down  in  de  shade  an'  res'  a 
w'ile.  So  dat  w'at  he  do^  an'  pres'ny  he  go  fas'  asleep, 
an'  he  slep'  an'  he  slep'  an'  he  snore  an'  he  snore,  an' 
de  flies  come  an'  lit  on  his  nose  an'  tickled  him,  but  he 
jes'  breshed  'em  off  wid  his  behime  foot  an'  went  on 
sleepin'. 

"Atter  w'ile  'long  come  Mistah  Tarr'pin  draggin' 
hisse'f  tlm  de  dus'  an'  de  hot  sun.  He  see  Mistah  B'ar 
layin'  off  nnner  a  tree,  an'  he  strotch  his  neck  np  outer 
de  shell,  an'  drord  off  de  paf  an'  looked  at  him  good. 
^Uh-huh !'  sezee,  ^f as'  asleep,  I  see.  AYell,  snooge  on, 
Mistah  B'ar;  dat  suits  me  'zackh^,  an'  I  have  you  ter 
know,  suh,  dat  hit's  a  ol'  sayin'  an'  a  true  sayin',  "De 
long  pole  reaches  de  'simmon,  but  de  smart  dog  gits 
hit." ' 

"Wid  dat  Tarry-long  he  went  amblin'  on  an'  lef 
Mistah  B'ar  sleepin'  lak  a  log  an'  snorin'  lak  a  saw-mill. 

"Pres'n'y  B'ar  waked  up  an'  seed  Mistah  Tarr'pin's 
track  ag'in  an'  knowed  he'd  bin  by.  *^Gee  whizz !'  sezee, 
^dat  mis'able  li'l  cuss  done  had  de  insurance  ter  pass  me  ? 
1  mus'  git  up  an'  git,  er  no  tellin'  w'at  happen.'  Wid  dat 
he  shuk  hisse'f  an'  got  up  an'  went  'long  right  fas'  'twel 
he  ketched  sight  er  Tarr'pin  ag'in.  Den  he  slacked  up  a 
li'l  an'  putt  on  lots  er  style,  swaggerin'  roun'  over  de 
road  an'  singin'  one'r  dem  ol'  toas'es  ter  de  ladiz : 

'Success  to  de  red-bu'd. 
An'  lahwise  ter  de  icren; 
God  bless  all  de  pooty  ladiz. 
An'  not  so  many  men.' 

"He  let  on  lak  he  ain'  see  Tarr'pin  'twel  he  git  right 

240 


ME.  BEAE  AXD  ME.  TEEEAPIX  GO  COUETIXG 

up  'long  side  uv  *im,  an'  lie  mek  out  dat  lie  wuz  jes' 
'bout  ter  tronip  on  liim  by  mistake.  He  dror  back  his 
foot  an'  sav.  *0h,  "scuse  ine.  is  dat  vou  ?  I  did  ir  know 
YOU  WUZ  dar.  Well,  how  vou  come  on.  anvhow?  Slow 
wu'k,  ain'  hit,  suh  ?  You  mought  ez  well  give  up  an'  go 
back,  I  tell  you  dat,  'kase  dars  no  queschin  who  gwine 
git  de  gal;  she  knowed  dat  fum  de  fus'.  I  dunno  w'y 
she  set  me  an*  vou  at  dish  ver  fool  racin',  but  dar's  no 
use  tryin"  ter  study  out  de  ways  uv  a  gal ;  I  done  gin  dat 
up  long  ago.    You  gotter  let  her  have  her  sesso.' 

"Tarr'pin  he  say,  sezee,  ''Well,  Mistah  B'ar,  you  pus- 
sue  atter  yo*  way  an'  I'll  pussue  atter  mine,  an'  mebbe 
you  '11  see  me  at  de  een'  er  de  line  yit.  I  done  come  dis 
fur  'long :  seem  lak  liit  be  too  bad  ter  gin  up  now.  I'm 
a  right  slow  man^,  to  be  sho',  but  I  tell  you,  suh,  I'm  a 
sticker.' 

^*^'ar  g'long  an'  git  way  ahaid  er  Mistah  Tarr'pin 
ag'in.  He  wall  his  eye  up  at  de  sun  pres'n'y  an'  he  see 
dat  'twan't  twelve  yit  an'  dat  de  gal's  house  wan't  so  fur 
away,  so  he  mek  up  his  min'  ter  teck  nu'rr  li'l  res'. 
'^Shucks  I'  sezee  ter  hisse'f,  Mat  li'l  ol'  slow-coach  won't 
be  'long  yer  fer  one  w'ile,  an'  I  mus'  be  kyarful  not  ter 
git  ter  de  place  befo'  twelve,  so  yer  whar  I  gwine  res' 
me  ag'in."  Wid  dat  he  plumped  hisse'f  down  un'need  a 
tree.  He  fell  fas'  asleep  befo'  long  an'  he  slep'  an'  he 
slep'  'twel  mos'  twelve  o'clock. 

"Atter  w'ile  yer  come  li'l  Tarr'pin.  wo'  mos'  ter  a  fraz- 
zle, but  jes'  paddlin'  on  down  de  paf  widout  even  stop- 
pin'  ter  teck  bref.  He  see  ol'  B'ar  layin'  dar  in  de  shade 
an'  he  strotch  his  neck  out  a.sr'in  fer  a  good  look,  an' 
sezee  unner  his  bref,  ^So  ho,  my  furry  fren' !  fas'  asleep 
ag'in,  I  sees.    Dar's  whar  vou  mek  de  sTe't  mistek  er  vo' 

241 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

life.  ^Tain'  safe,  suh,  ter  ^spise  any  man,  nemmine  how 
po'  an'  no-kyount  he  seem  ter  be ;  mebbe  he  gin  you  a 
s'prise  yit  one'r  dese  days.  I  sez  onet  an'  I  sez  ag'in, 
"De  long  pole  reaches  de  'simmon,  bnt  de  smart  dog  git 
hit." '  Wid  dat  he  crope  up  nearer  an'  nearer  ter  Mistah 
B'ar  an'  looked  him  good  in  de  face  an'  seed  he  wuz 
fas'  asleep  yit.  Den  he  wu'kked  on  down  ter  one'r 
B'ar's  behime  footses,  an'  squat  down  dar  an'  tuck  de 
een'  uv  a  tuf '  er  long  fur  in  his  mouf  an'  sot  dar  waitin'. 

"Pres'n'y  B'ar  he  waked  up  an'  walled  his  eye  up  at 
de  sun  an'  seed  'twuz  mos'  twelve  o'clock.  'Gre't  gum !' 
sezee,  ^las  dat  Tarr'pin  pass  me  by  ag'in?'  He  look 
ahaid  fer  Tarr'pin's  track.  None  dar,  so  he  feel  safe. 
^I  mus'  be  humpin'  myse'f  ef  I  wanter  git  dar  on  de 
stroke  er  twelve/  sezee. 

"Wid  dat  he  got  up  an'  shuk  de  dus'  outer  his  fur,  but 
he  ain'  notuss  Tarr'pin,  'kase  de  fur  so  thick  he  kain't 
see  him.  Tarr'pin  wuz  hangin'  on  fer  dear  life ;  he 
wan't  gwine  be  shuk  off,  not  him.  Sezee  ter  hisse'f ,  'Aw 
naw,  suh,  you  hatter  shake  hard  'nuff  ter  onloose  de  fur 
f 'um  yo'  hide  bef  o'  you  kin  shake  me  off ;  my  mouf  built 
fer  hol'in'  on.  Mebbe  I  kain't  wu'k  my  jaws  ez  fas'  ez 
some  folks,  but  w'en  hit  come  ter  clinchin'  'em,  I'm  right 
dar.' 

"B'ar  go  erunchin'  an'  scrunchin'  down  de  road, 
mekin'  gre't  has'e  ter  git  ter  de  gal's  on  de  stroke  er 
twelve,  an'  all  de  time  yer  wuz  Tarr'pin  Jes'  gwine  swing- 
in'  on  do^m  de  road  wid  him,  mouf  clinched  tight  in  de 
fur,  an'  ol'  B'ar  ain'  have  de  sign  uv  a  notion  dat  he  wuz 
totin'  Tarr'pin  to'des  de  gal's  house. 

"De  gal  an'  her  mammy  wuz  settin'  on  de  po'ch 
lookin'  out  fer  de  gemmen.     Jes'  befo'  de  stroke  er 

242 


c^« 


3 


O 


MR.  BEAR  AXD  MR.  TERRAPIN  GO  COURTING 

twelve  de  gal  riz  up  an'  shaded  her  eye  wid  her  haii'  an' 
looked  down  de  road.  She  see  Mistah  B'ar  mekin'  gre't 
has'e,  an'  she  sing  out,  ^Oh,  maw,  yer  come  Mistah 
B'ar !  Hit  look  lak  he  gwine  win,  'kase  I  ain'  see  no 
sign  er  Mistah  Tarr'pin.' 

"B'ar  he  seed  her  an'  he  'gun  ter  bow  an'  scrape  an' 
teck  off  his  hat,  an'  de  gal  she  'mence  ter  snicker  an' 
giggle  an'  mek  her  manners.  Wen  he  got  ter  de  po'ch  he 
wuz  clean  outer  bref,  so't  all  he  cu'd  say  fer  a  minnit 
wuz  ^Howdy,  ma'am,  howdy,  gal !'  Gal  she  say,  'Howdy, 
Mistah  B'ar;  I  sut'n'y  glad  ter  see  you  dis  mawnin'; 
how  you  come  on?  Whar  you  done  lef  Mistah  Tarr'- 
pin ?  Tee-hee !  Seem  lak  he  ain'  gwine  set  de  evenin' 
out  wid  you  dis  time.  Tee-hee !'  She  titter  ag'in  an' 
sort  er  hide  behime  her  han'  lak  she  feel  monst'ous 
backwu'ds  now  dat  Mistah  B'ar  'bout  ter  win  de  race. 

"B'ar  he  say,  'Sho !  I  lef  dat  li'l  contrapshun  down 
de  road  so  fur  aways  dat  he  kain't  ketch  up  in  a  mont' 
er  Sundays.  Him  ter  race  wid  me !  I  tol'  him,  ma'am, 
dat  dar  wuz  nuver  any  queschin  who  gwine  beat,  an'  dat 
I  knowed  you  wuz  knowin'  dat  w'en  you  putt  us  ter 
racin'.'  B'ar  he  swelled  roun'  some  mo',  an'  gal  she  snort 
an'  snicker  some  mo',  an'  las',  jes  ez  de  clock  'bout  ter 
strike  twelve  she  git  a  cheer  an'  ax  him  ter  set  down. 

"  'Don'  kyare  ef  I  do,  ma'am,'  sezee,  an'  he  squared 
roun'  wid  his  back  ter  de  cheer  ter  set  down.  Tarr'pin 
he  tuck  dat  'casion  ter  drap  down  inter  de  cheer,  blip ! 
an'  dar  he  sot  lookin'  ez  peart  ez  a  lizzu'd  an'  he  sings 
out,  'Hoi'  up,  dar,  Mistah  B'ar;  don'  you  set  down  on 
me,  suh,  'kase  I  kin  bite  hard,  ef  I  ain'  ve'y  big.' 

"B'ar  he  wuz  mo'n  half  squat  down  an'  he  riz  up  in  a 
hurry  an'  turnt  'roun'  wid  his  eyes  fair'  bulgin'  outen 

243 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

his  haid^  an'  sezee,  ^Name  er  common  sense !  how  did 
you  git  yer?' 

"Tarrpin  say,  sezee,  '^Xemmine  how  I  got  yer;  yer  I 
is  an'  yer  I  stay.  I  done  tol'  yon  w'en  I  met  np  wid  you 
in  de  road  dat  de  longes'  pole  reaches  de  'simmon,  but 
de  smartes'  dog  gits  hit,  an'  now  I  done  prove  de  trufe  er 
dat  sayin'.' 

"Gal  she  say,  ^Mammy,  I  wants  you  jes  fer  ter  look  at 
dat  Mistah  Tarr'pin  settin  up  dar  in  de  cheer  ez  cool 
an'  comf  ble  ez  kin  be,  not  a  speck  er  dus'  on  his  footses, 
an'  not  even  outen  bref.  He  ain'  faze'  by  dat  long  walk, 
an'  yer  Mistah  B'ar,  big  an'  strong  ez  he  is,  all  tuckered 
out.  'Clar'  ef  hit  don'  beat  bob-tail !  Shows  dat  you 
kain't  go  nuttin'  on  looks.' 

"  ^Dat  you  kain't !'  sez  de  Tarr'pin,  sezee,  ^ner  hit  don' 
do  ter  be  sho'  uv  anything  in  dish  yer  mawtul  worl'. 
Mistah  B'ar  mought  'a  beat  me  easy  'nuff,  even  to'des 
de  las',  ef  'twan't  fer  dat  second  nap  he  done  tuck ;  dar's 
whar  he  lose  his  needle.' 

"De  gal  an'  her  mammy  dey  say,  '^Now  ain'  dat  de 
trufe !  You  sut'n'y  got  good  horse-sense,  Mistah  Tarr'- 
pin, an'  we  glad  you  done  won  de  race.  I  'spec'  you  lak 
mighty  well  ter  wash  de  dus'  outer  yo'  th'oat  wid  a  glass 
er  eider  atter  dat  long  walk.  Jes'  set  still  an'  git  out 
yo'  pipe  an'  mek  yo'se'f  right  at  home.' 

"Dey  stood  dar  muchin'  him  an'  waitin'  on  him,  an' 
dey  ain'  even  ax  Mistah  B'ar  ter  have  a  cheer,  so  he  lef 
Tarr'pin  settin'  dar  sippin'  de  cider  an'  went  off  down 
de  road  suckin'  his  thumb  all  de  way  an'  thinkin'  w'at 
a  consumbunkshus  fool  he  done  mek  uv  hisse'f." 


244 


MOLLY  COTTOX-TAIL  STEALS  ME.  FOX'S 

BUTTER 

"Aunt  Xancy/'  said  Janey,  "do  yon  know  any  more 
stories  about  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail?  I  think  she's 
'most  as  smart  as  Mr.  Hare,  and  I  like  to  hear  about  her 
'most  as  much." 

"  'Mos'  ez  smart  I  ^mos'  ez  smart  I  well  ef  dat  don'  beat 
all !"  said  Xancy,  throwing  up  her  hands  in  affectation 
of  indignant  surprise.  "Lemme  tell  you  dat  w'en  a 
ooman  start  out  ter  be  trickish  she  kin  beat  a  man  ev'y 
time,  'kase  her  min'  done  wu'k  heap  faster  an'  she  see  all 
roun'  an'  over  an'  un'need  an'  on  bofe  sides  uv  a  thing 
w'ile  he's  tryin'  ter  styare  plumb  thu  hit." 

"Didn't  you  say  she  was  his  wife  ?"  asked  Xed.  "I 
should  think  they  would  have  called  her  Mrs.  Hare 
always,  instead  of  Molly  Cotton-tail.  AVhy  do  you  s'pose 
they  didn't  ?" 

"Law !  honey,"  she  answered,  "don'  come  axin'  me  no 
sech  li'l  fool  queschins  ez  dat.  How  you  reckon  I  gwine 
know  all  de  w'ys  an'  de  wharf o's  uv  all  de  ol'-time 
doin's  ?  I  kain't  spressify  de  reasonment  uv  her  bein'  call 
Molly  Cotton-tail  sometimes,  but  hit  come  'cross  me 
jes'  now  dat  mebbe  de  ma'ied  wimmins  ain'  tucken  der 
husban's  name  in  dera  days  lak  dey  does  now.  Anyhows, 
I  know  she  called  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail,  an'  not  jes' 
wholly  an'  solely  de  wife  er  ^listah  Hyar'.     She  ain'  de 

245 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

sort  er  ooman  ter  sottle  clown  an^  be  jes'  plain  ^lis' 
Hyar'  all  her  clays^,  an'  stay  home  an^  lissen  at  ae  chillen 
cry  an'  wash  der  faces  an'  comb  der  hya'r  an'  cook  der 
vittles,  'ear  in  an'  'ear  out.  Hiih-uh !  Mis'  Molly  she 
got  too  much  git  up  in  her  fer  dat.  She  mek  ol'  man 
Hyar'  stay  home  an'  min'  de  chillen  now  an'  den,  an' 
he  ain'  dast  ter  say  no,  neener.  Lemme  see,  now,  whar 
wuz  I  at?  Ef  I'se  gwine  tell  3'Ou  any  mo'  tales,  you 
mus'n'  come  at  me  dat-a-way  wdd  queschins,  lessen  you 
wanster  putt  de  tales  outen  my  haid.  I  jes'  had  my 
mouf  fix'  ter  tell  you  one  w'en  y'all  bruk  in  on  me  'bout 
de  name.   Lessee,  w'at  icuz  dat  tale  'bout,  anyhows  ?" 

"Well,  I  asked  you  for  another  one  about  ^lis'  Molly 
Cotton-tail,"  said  Janey ;  "so  may  be  it  was  about  her." 

"Sho'  'nuff,  sho'  'nuff,"  said  Aunt  Nancy.  "  'Parient- 
ly  I'se  gittin'  fibble  in  de  min'  ez  well  ez  in  de  j'ints,  ter 
go  fergittin'  dat-a-way.  Yas,  de  tale  wuz  'bout  one  time 
w'en  Mis'  Molly  an'  Mistah  Fox  go  ter  mek  a  visit  wid 
Mistah  Fox's  brer  whar  live  'cross  de  swamp  an'  down  in 
de  holler.  He  wuz  right  fren'ly  wid  her  'bout  dat  time 
an'  'vite  her  ter  go  wid  him.  She  wuz  all  dress'  up  in  her 
good  clo'es  an'  her  good  manners,  gwine  'long  mekin' 
husse'f  mighty  'greeable,  talkin'  'bout  dis  an'  dat,  cuttin' 
her  eye  up  at  him  real  sweet  an'  stickin'  ez  clost  ez  a 
bur  to  a  cow's  tail." 

"Why,  I  didn't  suppose  they  would  ever  be  good 
friends  again  after  the  tricks  she  played  him,"  said 
Janey. 

"Um !  chil',"  she  answered,  "dis  happen  so  long  atter 
dat  ol'  Fox  plumb  fergit  dey  uver  had  any  fallin's-out. 
You  better  not  pester  me  no  mo'  er  I  mought  fergit  de 
tale,  clean  ez  a  whustle.  Well,  dey  went  on,  him  he'pin' 

246 


MIS'  HAEE  STEALS  ME.  FOX'S  BrXTER 

her  over  de  foot-logs,  mighty  mannerly,  an'  runnin'  on 
an*  crackin'  jokes  wid  her,  an'  las'  dey  got  ter  de  house. 
Mistah  Sly-fox's  brer  w'ich  dey  call  him  ^Hongry 
Billy/  'kase  he  wuz  all  time  eatin'  np  folkses  chickens, 
he  "vite  'em  in  an'  tell  'em  fer  ter  mek  derse'fs  at  home 
an'  ax  'em  ter  stay  ez  long  ez  dey  kin.  Mis'  Molly  she 
teck  off  her  hat  an'  shawl  an'  de  ridicule  f'um  her  arm 
an'  lav  'em  on  de  baid.  Den  she  sav,  ^Mistah  Hongrv 
Billv,  I'se  dat  indush'ous  I  kain't  bear  ter  be  idle  even 
w'en  I'se  off  on  a  visit;  so  please,  suh,  ter  lemme  git  de 
supper,  stidder  settin'  yer  hoi 'in'  my  ban's.' 

''Billv  tell  her  he  ain'  kvare,  so  she  whu'led  in  an'  set 
de  table  an'  drord  de  pine-tag  tea  an'  made  de  ash-cakes, 
an'  Hongry  Billy  he  showed  her  whar  ter  git  de  butter, 
down  at  de  spring.  ^Y'iles  dey  'z  at  supper  'long  come  a 
naber  an'  tol'  'em  dat  ol'  Mistah  Grav-fox  wuz  dvin' 
an'  done  sont  fer  Billy  ter  set  up  wid  him.  So  Billy 
'sense  hisse'f  an'  ax  'em  fer  ter  teck  kvare  er  de  house 
ontwel  he  come  back  an'  mek  derse'fs  right  at  home. 
Den  he  g'long  off  wid  de  naber. 

"Dat  night,  w'en  ^listah  Fox  git  ter  noddin'  an' 
snoogin'  by  de  fire,  Mis'  ]\Iolly  she  slip  out  ter  de  spring 
an'  et  up  de  butter  down  ter  de  ve'y  las'  smidgin,  an' 
den  set  to  an'  licked  de  crock  'twel  'twuz  clean  ez  ef  hit 
bin  scoured.  Den  she  lick  her  mouf  an'  whiskers  clean, 
an'  come  in  an'  sot  down  by  de  fire  ag'in  befo'  Fox  had 
time  ter  wake  up  an'  miss  her.  She  sot  dar  lookin'  ez 
innercent  ez  a  lamb,  gwine  on  wid  her  knittin'  an'  hum- 
min'  a  chune,  jes'  ez  ef  she  ain'  nuver  had  butter  in  her 
min'  ner  in  her  mouf. 

"Xex'  mawnin'  Hongry  Billy  come  back,  cross  an' 
sleepy  f'um  de  settin'-up,  an  w'en  he  go  down  ter  de 

247 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

spring  ter  git  de  butter  fer  bre'kfus',  tlar  sot  de  crock, 
empty  ez  a  go'de.  I  let  you  know  he  wuz  mad.  He 
come  a-huffin'  an^  a-puffin'  up  ter  de  house,  an'  he  say, 
sezee,  '^Dish  yer  a  nice  howdy-do !  Y'all  calls  yo-se'f 
'spectable  folks  an'  comes  yer  an'  squats  down  on  me,  an' 


den  w'en  I  turn  my  back  yon  eats  up  ev'y  rap  an'  scrap 
er  butter  5^ou  kin  fin'  on  de  place.  I  bin  thinkin'  y'all 
wuz  folks  an'  now  I  fin*  you  is  ho^s !'  An'  wid  dat  he 
turnt  his  back  on  'em  bofe  an'  went  flouncin'  out  de  do'. 
^Dey  toiler  'im  up,  'clarin'  dey  dunno  nuttin'  't  all 

248 


i'l 


MIS^  HARE  STEALS  ME.  FOX'S  BUTTER 

^bout  de  butter,  an"  Mis"  Molly  she  do  talkin'  'nuff  fer 
bofe,  she  do.  She  say,  sez  she,  ^  'Twan"t  me,  suh,  "deed 
'twan't  I  I  cross  my  heart  I  Wat  I  want  wid  yo'  butter, 
anyways  ?  I  got  me  plenty  butter  at  home ;  I  ain^  hatter 
go  ter  de  nabers  for  ev'y  liT  oF  snack  er  vittles  I  want. 
Sidesen  dat,  I  got  a  mighty  delikin  stummick,  an'  I 
kain't  eat  no  butter  lessen  I  done  mek  hit  mvse'f,  'kase 
I  ain'  sho'  de  folks  bin  right  clean  an'  kyarful  in  de 
mekin.^ 

^•'Dat  mek  Hongr}^  Billy  madder'n  befo',  an'  he  say, 
sezee,  ^"Well,  mebbe  my  butter  wan't  clean ;  I  dunno  'bout 
dat,  but  I  does  know  'bout  dis:  hit  clean  gone,  an'  w'at's 
mo',  one'r  you  two  is  de  pusson  whar  goned  hit.  I  gwine 
keep  you  bofe  right  yer  'twel  I  fine  out  w'icht  is  de  thief.' 

"Molly  she  study  li'l,  an'  den  she  say,  sez  she,  *^^Iistah 
Billy,  Fse  ve'y  saw'y  dis  happen,  'deed  I  is.  But  w'ats 
done  kain't  be  ondone,  an'  so  de  on'ies'  thing  now  is  ter 
prove  w'icht  er  we-all  tucken  yo'  butter.  Ef  I  ain'  'ceive 
myse'f,  I  knows  de  sho'  an'  sut'n  way  ter  fin'  out  w'icht 
is  de  thief.  Jes'  you  g'long  'bout  yo'  wu'k  an'  let  me 
an'  ^listah  Slv-fox  lav  down  vonner  in  de  sun  all  dav, 
an'  w'en  you  comes  back  dis  evenin'  I  boun'  you  kin  tell 
w'icht  uv  us  done  et  de  butter.^ 

"Huccome  ?'  sez  Hongry  Billy,  sezee. 
^Dat  easy  ez  rollin'  off  a  log,'  she  say.  '^De  heat  er  de 
sun  gwine  strak  thu  an'  dror  de  grease  out,  so't  w'en 
vou  come  back  all  vou  hatter  do  be  ter  rub  yo'  fino^ers 
over  ow'  stummicks  an'  den  you'll  know  in  a  jiff  who 
done  swollered  yo'  butter.' 

"Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox  'gree  ter  dis,  'kase  he  know 
he  ain't  tucken  de  butter,  so  he  wan't  'feard  hit  be  proved 
up  on  him.    Hongr}^  Billy  he  say  hit  look  mighty  reas'n- 

249 


«  n 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

able  an'  lie  'gree  tcr  hit,  too,  an'  went  off  'cross  de  swamp 
ter  tend  ter  his  wu'k,  an'  lef  'em  bofe  dar  layin'  in  de 
sun. 

"x4.tter  w'ile  she  say,  sez  she,  blinkin'  an'  battin'  her 
eyes  lak  she  kain't  keep  'em  open,  ^Um-iimph!  Mistah 
Fox,  dat  sun  mek  me  pow'ful  sleepy,  please  'scuse  me, 
suh,  but  I'se  jes'  nachelly  'bleeged  ter  teck  a  lil  nap.' 
Fox  say  he  b'lieve  he  teck  one  hisse'f,  an'  he  shet  his  eyes 
an'  putt  his  nose  down  between  bofe  jaws  an'  gin  his  tail 
a  whisp  er  two  ter  drive  'way  de  flies,  an'  pres'n'y  he  wuz 
fas'  asleep. 

"Mis'  Molly  she  watch  him  outer  de  cornder  uv  her 
eye,  an'  w'en  she  see  he  wuz  good  an'  soun'  she  lit  up 
f'um  dat  widout  mekin'  no  noise  an'  struck  out  fer  a 
naber's  spring  an'  got  her  a  han'ful  er  butter.  She  come 
tiptoein'  back  an'  stoop  down  an'  rub  de  butter  all  over 
Mistah  Fox's  stummick,  so  sof'ly  dat  he  ain'  kin  feel  hit, 
an'  den  she  go  an'  lick  her  paws  clean  an'  laid  down  in 
her  place  ag'in  an'  kep'  one  eye.  on  him.  'Bout  de  time 
w'en  she  'spec'  Hongry  Billy  home  she  shet  her  eyes  an' 
snore  so  loud  he  year  'er  clean  'cross  de  holler.  W'en 
he  come  up  to  'em  dey  wuz  'pariently  fas'  asleep,  an' 
Billy  he  retcht  down  an'  run  his  han'  over  Mis'  Molly's 
stummick.  Dry  ez  a  bone !  Den  he  try  Mistah  Slickry 
Sly-fox,  an'  he  bringed  up  his  han'  kivered  wid  grease 
an'  smellin'  loud  er  butter.    " 

"Billy  wuz  in  a  turr'bl'  teckin'  an'  mek  sech  a  fuss  dat 
he  wake  Mistah  Fox  an'  fall  ter  excusin'  him  er  teckin' 
de  butter.  01'  Fox  wuz  dat  s'prise'  ter  fin'  his  stummick 
kivered  wid  butter  dat  he  ain'  kin  say  nuttin'  't  all. 
'Bout  den  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail  'gun  ter  stretch  an' 


250 


MIS'  HAEE  STEALS  ME.  FOX'S  BUTTER 

rub  her  eyes  an'  'tend  lak  she  jes'  wake  up.  She  lissen 
at  all  de  gwines-on  a  minnit  an'  den  she  'mence  ter  mek 
gre't  'miration.  ^Laws-a-mnssy !'  she  say,  *I  ain'  h'lieve 
dis  ef  I  ain'  see  hit  wid  mv  own  eves.  I  sut'n'y  is  scan- 
nelize'  dat  a  fren'  er  mine  tiicken  ter  stealin',  mo'  special 
on  a  visit.  I  'clar'  ter  goodness  my  feelin's  is  so  hurted 
dat  I  kain't  rightly  'spress  myse'f,  an'  w'at's  mo',  I  kain't 
stay  yer  'sociatin'  wid  a  common  thief.  I  got  my  young 
fambly  ter  think  'bout.  So  long,  Mistah  Hongry  Billy. 
I  hopes  you  gin  dat  man  a  good  walluppin',  'kase  he 
sut'n'y  'arn  hit,  comin'  yer  puttin'  up  on  you  an'  den 
cleanin'  out  yo'  butter.  Xex'  time  you  git  me  ter  go 
visitin'  wid  you,  Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox,  you  be  heap 
older  an'  smarter  dan  w'at  you  is  dis  minnit.'  Wid  dat 
she  go  scootin',  'kase  she  'feard  ef  she  stay  longer  she 
mought  git  f oun'  out  somehow  er  nu'rr. 

"Hongry  Billy  he  study  li'l  w'ile  an'  den  he  say  ter 
Mistah  Fox,  'Well,  I  gwine  let  you  off  dis  time,  'kase 
you  is  my  kin  an'  I  ain'  wanter  disgrace  you;  I  ain' 
wanter  let  folks  know  I  got  a  thief  fer  a  brer.  But 
don'  let  me  ketch  you  in  dese  diggin's  no  mo',  er  I  gwine 
set  ter  wu'k  an'  lam  de  butter  outer  dat  greasy  hide  er 
3^o'n ;  3'ou  year  me  talkin' !' 

"Fox  he  'clar'  an'  he  sw'ar  dat  he  wan't  de  thief,  but 
Billy  ain'  pay  no  'tention  to  him.  Den  he  had  half  a 
min'  ter  tell  ol'  Hongr}^  Bill}-  'l)out  all  dem  hen- 
roos'es  he  done  robbed,  but  Billy  so  mad  a'raidy  dat  he 
kind  er  'feared  ter  do  hit,  so  he  go  slinkin'  off  wid  his 
vears  down  an'  his  tail  drasfojin',  an'-  dev  tells  me  dar 
wuz  a  gre't  coolness  spring  up  in  dat  fambly  dat  las'  fer 
some  sev'l  'ears,  all  'longer  dat  crock  er  butter.     I  let 


251 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

you  know,  cliillen,  hit  ain'  teck  much  ter  start  a  f  ambly 
•,]uoi'l^  but  hit  tcck  heap  er  time  an'  trouble  ter  patch 
one  up,  jes'  de  same  ez  hit  do  wid  dcm  holes  whar  li'l 
Mars'  N'ed  snag  in  his  britches,  an'  nuver  seem  de  same 
alter  de  patchin',  neener." 


252 


THE  LAZY  FOX 


When  Aunt  Xancy  finished  the  story  of  the  stealing  of 
Hun2:rv  Billv^s  hutter,  Janey  said :  "I  should  think  ^Ir. 
Fox  would  have  been  so  mad  at  Mollv  Hare  that  he 
would  never  have  spoken  to  her  again.  Didn't  he  ever 
try  to  pay  her  back  ?" 

"  ^Deed  dat  he  did/'  said  Aunt  Xanc}',  "an'  he  come 
mighty  nigh  doin'  hit,  too.  Dish  yer  wuz  de  way  uv  hit. 
One  day  he  wuz  turr'bF  hongr}^  'kase  his  brer  Billy  bin 
cleanin'  out  all  de  hen-roos'es  in  dat  naberhoods  'twel 
dar  wuz  no  chickins  lef  fer  him;  he  kain't  tell  whar  de 
nex'  meal  er  vittles  gwine  come  f 'um.  Las'  he  say  he  got- 
ter  have  sump'n  ter  stay  hisse'f  wid  an'  he  b'lieve  he  lak 
mio-htv  well  ter  have  a  hvar'.  But  he  wuz  so  mawtul 
lazv  dat  he  ain'  wanter  chase  one  down,  'kase  w'en  de 
foxes  chases  de  hyar's  dey  hatter  do  a  pow'ful  lot  er 
runnin'  bef o'  dey  kin  git  'em.  Fox  he  knowed  dat ;  so  he 
go  walkin'  'long  thu  de  woods,  schemin'  away  ter  hisse'f 
an'  tryin'  ter  mek  up  a  plan  ter  ketch  a  hyar'  widout 
chasin'  her.  '^Dar's  some  way  ter  do  hit,  sho'  ez  I'm  a 
livin'  sinner,  an'  I  gwine  wu'k  my  thinker  'twel  I  fin'  hit 
out,  dat  I  is,'  sezee.  ^I'm  one'r  dese  yer  thinkin'  men,' 
sezee,  winkin'  up  his  eyebrows,  ^an'  w'en  I  2:)utts  my  min' 
on  a  thing  hits  ez  good  ez  done.' 

"Jes'  den  he  come  'cross  one'r  dem  pafs  whar  de 
hyar's  use  w'en  dey  track  up  an'  down  thu  de  woods,  an' 

253 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

sezee,  ^Heyo !  yer  s  a  hyar's  run.  I'll  jes'  f oiler  dis  up 
an'  see  w'at  I  kin  see.  I  boun'  some  er  clem  fool  creeturs 
gwine  be  Tong  yer  betwix'  daylight  an'  dark  huntin'  fer 
Tittles,  er  gwine  down  ter  de  branch,  er  was'in'  der  time 
gwine  roun'  visitin'.  I  lay  I'll  fix  up  some  scheme  ter 
ketch  one  uv  'em.' 

"He  g'long  moufin'  'way  ter  hisse'f,  an'  all  ter  onct, 
in  de  middle  er  de  paf,  he  seed  one'r  dem  'ar  holes  full 
er  mud  whar  dey  calls  '^slashes/  an'  w'en  he  see  dat  he 
say,  ^Xow  yer's  whar  I  gwine  lay  low  an'  ketch  me  a 
hyar'  fer  my  dinner.'  So  wid  dat  he  got  down  inter  de 
slash  an'  stood  dar  up  ter  his  neck  in  mud,  waitin'  an' 
waitin'. 

"Pres'n'y  he  year  a  noise  an'  look  up,  an'  lo,  beholst, 
some  un  wuz  comin'  down  de  paf,  an'  'twuz  nob'dy  mo' 
ner  less  dan  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail  husse'f,  singin'  dis 
song  at  de  top  uv  her  voice : 

^Ez  I  ivent  down  de  new-cut  road, 

I  met  de  tap  an  den  de  toad; 

De  toad  lie  'gun  ter  wliustle  an  sing, 

An'  de  'possum  cut  de  pigeon-wing. 

'Long  come  an  oV  man  ridin   hy; 
''or  man,  ef  you  don  min,  yo'  lioss'll  die." 
"Ef  he  dies  I'll  tan  his  sliin. 

An    ef  he  lives  I'll  ride  him  ag'in.' 


»  y 


Fox  he  lay  back  his  years  an'  wait,  not  even  so  much 
ez  winkin'  a  eyeled.  He  wait  'twel  Mis'  Molly  git  right 
'long  side  uv  'im  an'  den  sezee,  in  de  mos'  pitifules'  voice 
he  kin  putt  up,  'Mis'  Hyar' !  Oh,  Mis'  Hyar' !  Please, 
Mis'  Hyar' !    Oh,  stop ;  stop.  Mis'  Hyar !' 

254 


THE    LAZY    FOX 

"Mis'  Hyar'  slie  shied  clean  ter  tii'rr  side  de  road  w'en 
she  year  dat  noise  an'  pricked  up  her  years  an'  stopped 
singin'  right  in  de  middle  iiv  a  wu'd,  an'  sez  she,  ^Wat?' 
Den  she  look  roun'  an'  see  him  lookin'  lak  he  wuz  stuck 
fas'  in  de  mud. 

"He  go  on  in  dat  same  pitiful  voice,  ^Oh,  Mis'  H3^ar', 
I'se  in  de  mos'es  trouble  I  uver  wuz  in  my  life.' 

"  '^Sho' !  look  ter  me  lak  you'se  in  mud'  sez  she  wid 
a  snicker.  '^Uv  all  de  notions !  Wat  in  de  worl'  mek 
you  wanter  res'  yo'se'f  in  dat  slash  w'en  you  got  all  de 
dry  Ian'  ter  lay  yo'se'f  down  on?  Mighty  cur'ous  tas'e 
you  got,  Mistah  Fox/  sez  she  wid  anu'rr  snicker,  'kase 
she  thought  he  wuz  sho'-'nuff  stuck  fas'  in  de  mud  an' 
de  notion  tickled  her  might'ly. 

"  '^Xaw'm,  I'se  in  sho'-'nuff  trouble/  sezee.  Tlease, 
ma'am,  don'  you  laugh  at  me.  Please  fer  ter  he'p  me 
out  ef  you  kin.' 

"Sez  she:  ^G'way  f'um  yer,  man;  you  talk  plumb 
foolish.  You  s'pose  I  gwine  he'p  5^ou  out  w'en  I  bin 
yearin'  all  my  life  dat  foxes  eats  hyar's?  Xaw  siree 
bob !    I  ain'  yo'  fool  dis  time.' 

"Fox  he  sa}",  ^Don'  let  dat  ol'  sayin'  worry  you, 
ma'am.' 

"She  say :  ^I  dunno  'bout  dat.  Better  worry  now  dan 
atter  you  done  ketched  me.' 

"He  go  on  baiggin'.  Sezee,  ^Mis'  Hyar',  ef  you'll 
on'y  jes'  he'p  me  dis  onct  I  won'  ax  you  ag'in,  an'  I 
gin  you  my  promuss  nuver  ter  fergit  hit.' 

"Mis'  Hyar'  she  look  at  him  sort  er  jubous  an'  study 
'bout  hit  a  w'ile.  •  Las'  she  say:  'I  ffwine  tell  you  now 
dat  ef  I  do  he'p  you,  you  mus'n'  fergit  hit.  I  gwine 
'pend  on  you  fer  dat.' 

255 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 


(i^ 


^He  say,  sezee,  '  'Deed,  clat  I  won'.  Mis'  Molly ;  you 
shell  alluz  have  de  praises ;  dat  you  shell.' 

"Den  she  niek  up  her  min'  ter  he'p  him,  'kase  she  feel 
right  saw'y  fer  him;  so  she  step  up  in  han'-reach  uv 
him  an'  gin  him  her  paw. 

"He  wuz  plumb  tickelt  ter  def  by  dat,  an'  hit  did 
him  so  much  good  dat  he  drapt  his  years  back  an' 
'tended  lak  he  wuz  in  a  wuss  fix  dan  bef o'.  He  say :  ^Oh 
me,  oh  my !  Mis'  Hyar',  I'se  so  weak,  seem  lak  I  ain' 
gwine  be  able  ter  pull  outer  yer.  I'h  I  gimme  all  yo' 
strenk !  Squeeze  tight !  Lay  back  on  me,  madam,  pull  I 
pull  hard  I  uh-huh  I'  Wid  dat  he  putt  one  foot  out  an' 
den  tu'rr  an'  den  'tended  lak  he'z  gwine  fall  in  ag'in. 
Mis'  Hvar'  she  putt  on  sech  a  extrv  bus'  er  strenk  dat 
hit  come  nigh  bein'  de  def  uy  her,  an'  lan'ed  him  "long 
side  her  on  de  dry  groun'. 

"She  say,  w'en  she  cu'd  git  her  bref  'nuff  ter  talk: 
*Xow,  Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox,  I  hope  you  gwine  keep 
outer  sech  messes  atter  dis^  er  else  not  call  on  me,  fer 
I  nigh  'bout  teetotally  mint  myse'f  he'pin'  you  outer 
de  fix.  'Tain'  s'prise  me  ef  I  nuver  git  over  dis,'  sez 
she,  hol'in'  onter  her  side  an'  jumpin'  ev'y  now  an'  den 
an'  yellin'  '^ouch !'  w'en  a  stitch  tuck  her  suddintly. 

"Fox  he  wuz  drippin'  wid  mud  an'  shakin'  an'  shiv- 
erin'  f'um  bein'  wet  so  long,  an'  Mis'  ^lolly  say,  ^You 
bes'  go  right  'long  home,  now,  an'  git  yo'se'f  good  an' 
dry  er  nex'  news  you  know  you  be  havin'  de  ager.'  She 
say  dat  'kase  she  o^ittin'  kind  er  anxious  ter  orit  shed  uv 
him,  she  ain'  lak  de  look  uv  his  eye  w'en  he  wall  hit 
roun'  at  her.  He  ain'  budge  w'en  she  talk  'bout  him 
goin'  home,  so  she  mek  has'e  ter  say,  TTou  know  w'at 


256 


THE    LAZY    FOX 

you  done  promuss,  suh;  you  done  gin  me  yo'  wu'd  dat 
you  ain'  gwine  fergit  w'at  I  done  fer  you/ 

"He  laugh  an'  gin  hisse"f  a  shake  lak  de  dogs  does 
w^en  dey  bin  in  de  water,  an'  sezee :  ^Dasso,  Mis'  Molly, 
dasso;  I  done  promuss  you  an'  I  mighty  saw'y  fer  hit, 
too;  'kase  right  yer's  whar  I  gotter  break  my  wu'd. 
Hit  goes  hard  wid  me  ter  do  it,  but  w'en  a  man's  right 
hongry,  w'at  kin  he  do?  You  know  how  'tis  yo'se'f, 
Mis'  Molly;  w'en  you  git  good  an'  hongry  you  don' 
stop  ter  think  'bout  de  peas  in  de  naber's  gyardin'  not 
b'longin'  to  you;  now,  does  you?  'Clar'  ter  gracious, 
Mis'  Molly,  you  kain't  'spec'  me  ter  have  sech  luck  ez 
dis  an'  den  turn  hit  a-loose,  now,  kin  you?' 

"Mis'  Molly  she  tuck  a  li'l  step  ter  one  side  an' 
th'owed  back  her  haid  an'  looked  him  in  de  eye  right 
sorrowful,  an'  sez  she :  '  'Deed,  Mistah  Fox,  I  didn' 
think  you'd  disapp'int  me  dis-a-way;  'deed  I  didn'. 
Please,  suh,  ter  turn  me  a-loose.' 

"Fox  he  kep'  tight  hoi'  uv  her  paw  an'  tuck  a  step 
w'en  she  did,  an'  sezee,  ^Ha  I  ha  1 1  ha  1 1 !  I  reckon  not, 
ma'am ;  not  w'iles  I'se  in  mv  seven  senses/ 

"She  plead  an'  she  plead  an'  she  baig  an'  she  baig 
an'  she  argyfy  an'  she  argyfy  wid  him,  but  he  ain'  pay 
no  'tention  to  hit,  an'he  kep'  sech  a  tight  hoi'  on  her 
paw  dat  she  ain'  see  no  chanct  er  breakin'  Vay.  So 
las'  she  let  on  ter  gin  up  an'  she  say:  ^Well,  Mistah 
Fox,  I  done  gin  up.  I  see  you  is  'termine'  fer  ter  kill 
an'  eat  me.  an'  I  done  niek  up  my  min'  ter  die.  I 
know  you  'spec's  ter  kill  me,  but  befo'  you  does  dat,  I 
got  one  li'l  faver  ter  ax  you,  Mistah  Slickry;  jes'  one 
li'l  faver.' 

"  ^Wat's  dat  ?'  sezee.     ''Lemme  year  hit  an'  mebbe  I 

Oi 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

mought  grant  hit,  seein^  dat  you  is  so  near  de  een'  er 
3'o'  tether.  Dyin'  folks  mos'  alluz  gits  der  las'  reques'es 
granted;  so  speak  up,  ma'am,  fer  dish  yer's  yo'  las' 
chanct.' 

"All  de  time  dey  bin  talkin'  an'  argyfyin',  Mis'  Hyar' 
she  bin  aidgin'  closeter  an'  closeter  ter  de  briers,  an' 
w'en  she  git  right  clost  she  say,  ^Mistah  Fox,  you  sut'n'y 
is  kin'  ter  grant  my  reques';  thanky,  suh;  thanky, 
thanky.'  » 

"  ^Xemmine  yo'  manners,'  sezee ;  ^I'se  in  has'e.  Jes' 
spit  hit  right  out  an'  le's  have  hit  over.' 

"  '^^Yell,  den,'  she  sez,  ^I  is  a  ooman ;  you  knows  dat ; 
an'  wimmins  is  alluz  bein'  excused  er  cur'osity,  an'  I 
'spec'  I  has  my  sheer,  fer  I  bin  wunnerin'  all  my  life 
ef  hit's  true  dat  foxes  eats  hyar's,  er  does  dey  jes'  chase 
'em  an'  den  larrup  'em  good,  ef  dey  ketch  'em,  an'  den 
let  'em  go.  I  never  bin  ketched  befo',  so  I  dunno  how 
dey  does.  I  thought  mebbe  de  on'ies'  reason  you  wuz 
gwine  kill  me  wuz  bekase  I  done  trick  you  some  few 
times.  Seem  lak  I  mought  die  mo'  easy  ef  I  knowed 
jes'  'zackly  how  'tis  in  dis  marter.  Now,  ef  de  foxes 
does  mek  de  practuss  er  killin'  an'  eatin'  hyar's,  will 
you  please,  suh,  ter  onloose  yo'  right  han'  fer  a  minnit 
an'  lif  hit  up  an'  'clar'  an'  sw'ar  dat  you  gwine  kill  an' 
eat  me  an'  ez  many  mo'  ez  you  kin  ketch  ?' 

"Fox  he  laugh  an'  he  laugh,  an'  he  say :  *^Lawdy,  Mis' 
Molly,  you  bin  livin'  on  top  de  yearf  all  dese  'ears  wid- 
out  I'arnin'  dat  foxes  ketches  an'  eats  hyar's  w'ensom- 
uver  an'  howsomuver  dey  kin?  I  sut'n'y  is  s'prise';  I 
thought  you'se  smarter  dan  dat.' 

^I  done  year  tell  uv  hit,'  sez  she,  ^but  hit  seem  too 


258 


(( (1 


THE    LAZY    FOX 

turr'br  ter  be  true;  so  please,  suh,  I'd  lak  tcr  know  de 
sho*-*nuff  fac's  in  de  case  befo'  I  die/ 

"  ^Dat  YOU  shell/  sez  Fox,  sezee,  an'  wid  dat  he  let 
go  ]\ris'  Molly's  paw  an'  raise  his  han'  up.  an'  sezee,  ^I 
do  3'erby  'clar'  an'  sw'ar  ter  kill  an'  eat  Mis'  Molly  Cot- 
ton-tail an'  ez  many  mo'  uv  her  kin'  ez  I  kin  lay  my 
han's  on,  so-he'p-me-bob  I' 

"Mis'  Molly  ain'  stay  ter  year  him  out.  De  minnit 
he  onloose  her  han',  she  jes'  slip'  inter  de  briers  so 
quick  dat  Fox  ain'  see  whar  she  went  to.  He  stan'  dar 
styarin'  fus'  dis-a-way  an'  den  dat,  too  pa'lyze'  even  ter 
bring  his  han'  do^^^l  by  his  side  ag'in. 

"Mis'  Molly,  w'en  she  git  good  an'  in,  whar  she  feel 
rio-ht  safe,  she  stan'  dar  an'  sass  him.  She  say :  Tome 
on  inter  de  briers,  Mistah  Fox,  an'  git  nie.  Come  on 
an'  git  dat  fine  bushy  tail  er  yo'n  all  tankle'  up  wid  de 
briers.  Wat  mek  you  wait?  You  ain'  use  to  'em  lak 
me,  'kase  yer  whar  I  spen'  mos'  er  my  time,  an'  yer  whar 
I  'spec's  ter  die ;  not  in  yo'  han's,  suh ;  you  nuyer  gwine 
git  dat  chanct  ag'in.  Thanky,  suh,  fer  grantin'  dat  re- 
ques'  er  mine,  dough  I'se  kind  er  'feard  hit's  sp'iled  yo' 
dinner.  I  ffwine  roun'  tell  all  de  nabers  how  kin'  you 
wuz,  an'  I  gwine  send  noration  roun'  dat  de  trufe  done 
bin  foun'  out  at  las' :  foxes  does  kill  an'  eat  hyar's,  sho' 
'nuff — dat  is,  w'en  dey  kin  ketch  'em.' 

"Wid  dat  she  go  scurryin'  home  thu  de  bresh,  an'  she 
sez  ter  husse'f,  she  sez:  Ololly  Hyar',  yer's  whar  you 
done  mek  a  plumb  fool  er  yo'se'f  an'  come  mighty  nigh 
kickin'  de  bucket  fer  yo'  pains.  I  lay  you'll  haye  mo' 
sense  nex'  time  dan  ter  git  ketched  in  any  sech  traps  ez 
dat  you  jes'  tucken  yo'  foot  out  uy.' 


259 


>? 


ME.  HARE,  MR.  MI^K  ATsTD  MIS'  DUCK 


"Aunt  'Phrony,"  said  Xed  one  day,  ^'do  you  know  any 
stories  about  Mis'  Duck?" 

"Wat  mek  you  think  'bout  her  ?''  she  asked. 

"Oh/«  said  he,  "I  saw  her  waddlin'  roun'  the  yard 
the  other  day  and  I  wondered  why  you  had  neyer  told 
us  any  story  about  her." 

"Sho !  chir/'  said  she,  "w'at  you  reckon  I  wanter 
study  'bout  dat  li'l  oF  no-k3^ount  quackin'  fool  f er  ?  I'se 
gittin'  too  or  ter  let  my  niin'  run  on  'bout  sech  foolish- 
ness ez  dem  ol'  talcs,  anyhows.  Me  wid  one  foot  on  dry 
Ian'  an'  one  in  de  graye ;  I  orter  be  thinkin'  'bout  dish 
yer  uyerlas'in'  soul  er  mine  ev'y  minnit  I  ain'  hatter 
think  'bout  meat  an'  drink  an'  kiyerin'  fer  dis  po'  ol' 
pe'ishin'  body  er  mine." 

"Oh,"  said  Xed  apologetically,  "I  neyer  thought  about 
its  being  foolishness.  I  like  your  stories  a  lot,  and 
I  know  there  are  not  many  people  can  tell  them  the  way 
you  can,  unless  it's  Aunt  Xancy." 

It  was  nice  of  Ned  to  be  loyal  to  the  absent  Aunt 
Nancy,  but  her  name  at  once  ruffled  Aunt  'Phrony,  for 
she  went  on :  "I  reckon  you  mought  know  'twuz  foolish- 
ness w'atuyer  dat  ooman  tell  you.  Sidesen  dat,  knowin' 
is  one  thing  an'  tellin's  anu'rr.  Mebbe  I  knows  tales 
'bout  Mis'  Duck,  but  mebbe  I  ain'  think  hit  wuf  de  w'ile 
ter  tell  'em." 

The  children  proceeded  to  oifer  bribes  with  a  view 

2G0 


ME.  HARE,  MR.  MIXK  AXD  MIS'  DUCK 

to  making  it  worth  Aunt  Throny's  while.  Janey  pro- 
duced the  battered  brass  thimble  with  which  she  was 
wont  to  force  a  great  spike  of  a  needle  through  her  doll- 
rags.  Xed  offered  his  best  "agate,"  and  little  Kit  offered 
a  kiss  as  the  only  marketable  thing  in  his  possession. 
The  kiss  carried  the  day,  and,  after  the  old  woman  had 
filled  and  lighted  her  pipe  and  taken  a  few  preliminary 
puffs,  she  began : 

"One  time  ]\Iistah  Hyar'  met  up  wid  Mistah  Mink 
an'  he  putt  out  his  paw  an'  shuk  ban's  an'  made  his- 
se'f  monst'ous  fren'ly,  an'  done  lak  he  thought  Mink 
was  a  mio^htv  nice  sort  er  feller,  but  all  de  time  he  wuz 
s'archin'  roun'  in  his  min'  ter  fin'  some  way  er  ru'rr 
ter  show  his  own  se'f  off  an'  let  ^listah  Mink  know  how 
smart  he  wuz,  'kase  he  wan't  nuver  sassified  lessen  he 
let  people  know  'bout  dat.  Las'  he  say :  ^Mistah  Mink, 
dish  yer  mighty  fine  day ;  le's  we-all  teck  a  li'l  walk  to- 
ge'rr.     S'posen  we  sasshay  roun'  by  de  pond.' 

"Mink  he  say  he  jes'  ez  lief  go  dat-a-way,  ef  not 
ru'rr,  'kase  de  pond  seen!  mighty  home-lak  ter  him; 
so  dey  walk  on  an'  dey  walk  on  an'  las'  dey  git  ter  de 
pond  an'  dar  wuz  a  nice  big  flock  er  ducks  floatin'  roun' 
in  de  water,  so  still  dat  hit  seem  lak  dey  ain'  stirrin'. 
Dey  look  lak  dey'z  so  lazy  dat  'twuz  come-day-go-day 
Avid  ^em;  you  oon  a-knowed  dey  wuz  scrabblin'  roun' 
fer  der  vittles  'lessen  some  un  tol'  you. 

"Hyar'  he  watch  'em  a  w'ile  an'  den  he  say :  ^Mistah 
Mink,'  sezee,  'I  don'  wanter  show  too  much  cur'osity, 
sub.  but  jes'  'twix'  fren'  an'  fren'  I  lak  ter  ax  you  how 
you  gits  yo'  livin'?  I  see  you  lookin'  right  plump  an' 
peart  fer  a  man  er  yo'  build,  an'  I  lak  ter  know  de  w'ys 
an'  de  wharfo's.' 

261 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 


cc  c 


^Wy,  sut'n'y/  sez  de  Mink,  sezee :  ^I  gits  my  livin' 
right  outer  dat  pond  widoiit  no  trouljle  't  all.  ^Y'en  I 
wants  me  sump'n  ter  eat,  I  jes'  whu'l  right  in  an'  git 
me  a  duck/ 

"Hyar'  wuz  sniffin'  away  ter  hisse'f,  kinder  scawnful, 
but  he  say  ter  Mink,  mighty  p'litely,  he  do :  'You  don' 
sesso  !  Well,  Mistah  Mink,  I  lak  ter  know  jes'  how  you  do 
dat.  Please,  suh,  ter  show  me  how  you  ketch  duck;  I 
bin  yearin'  all  my  days  w'at  a  gre't  han'  you  is  at  duck- 
ketchin.' 

"Dat  mek  Mink  feel  kind  er  good,  an'  he  say,  sezee, 
^Well,  den,  jes'  watch  me  clost,  an'  I  reckon  mebbe 
you'll  be  able  ter  do  it  in  de  same  lak  manner.' 

"Mink  he  slipped  inter  de  water  an'  dove  clean  unner 
ter  whar  de  ducks  wuz  a-floatin',  an'  dey  ain'  even  know 
he  wuz  near  'em.  Den  he  ketched  one  uv  'em  by  de 
laig  an'  jes'  natchelly  pulled  her  un'need  de  water  an' 
drug  her  over  ter  whar  Mistah  Hyar'  wuz  waitin'. 

"  'Uh-huh,  Mistah  Mink,'  sezee,  've'y  good ;  you  has 
did  dat  mighty  slick,  suh ;  but  I  boun'  you  I  kin  do  dat 
same  de  ve'y  fus'  lick  widout  de  practuss  you  bin  havin' 
all  yo'  days.  De  on'ies'  thing  needed  yer  is  ter  be  handy 
an'  quick,  suh;  handy  an'  quick;'  an'  he  twis'  up  de 
cornders  uv  his  muf starsh  wid  one  han'  an'  look  mighty 
knowin'. 

"  'All  right,  suh,'  sez  Mink,  sezee ;  'sail  in  an'  lemme 
see  how  you  gwine  do  de  deed,'  sezee.  'Mebbe  you  kin 
do  hit  all  right  de  fus'  time,'  sezee,  'but  I  don'  b'lieve 
in  none  er  dese  yer  nigh-cuts,  myse'f.  ^ly  spe'3aince  is 
dat  you  hatter  go  roun'  de  long  way  ef  you  wanter  do 
a  thing  well.' 

"Dar  wuz  a  los:  lavin'  in  de  water  nigh  ter  whar  de 

262 


MR.  HAEE,  MR.  MIXK  AXD  MIS'  DUCK 

ducks  wiiz,  an'  Hyar'  lie  mosey  roim'  ter  de  place  an' 
wade  out  inter  de  water  an'  clum  up  on  de  log,  thinkin' 
he'd  stan'  dar  an'  grab  fer  a  duck  dat-a-way.  But  dat 
de  time  his  gun  miss  fire.  He  nab  at  de  neares'  duck, 
but  sho !  he  los'  "his  baluns  an'  fell  inter  de  water  ker- 
splashl  an'  come  mighty  nigh  gittin'  drownded.  De 
ducks  dey  yearn  de  noise  an'  hollered  an'  quacked  an' 
flew'd  off  ter  tu'rr  side  de  pond.  One'r  de  young  ducks 
whar  wuz  jes'  out  fer  her  fus'  swim,  she  say  ter  one'r  de 
ol'  uns  :  ^Quack,  quack,  quack  !  Mis'  Duck,  dat  wuz  a  gre't 
splash  we  done  yearn.  Mus'  'a  bin  a  mighty  big  frog 
jumped  inter  de  pond.'  ^Umph,'  sez  de  ol'  lady,  ^frog! 
I  say  frog!  You  gotter  I'arn  dat  frogs  don'  wear  fur 
er  you'll  nuver  have  no  peace  ner  comfu't  in  dis  pond. 
Dunno  frogs  yit  w'en  you  see  'em,  an'  gotter  mek  yo' 
livin'  f rog-huntin' !    I  lak  dat !' 

"  ^Wellum,'  sez  de  young  un,  ^dis  my  fus'  trip  ter  de 
pond;  you  kain't  'spec'  me  ter  know  all  you  does,  in  a 
minnit.' 

"Dat  sort  er  please'  de  ol'  un,  so  she  stop  jawin'  an' 
dey  all  went  on  wid  der  frog-huntin'. 

"Hyar'  he  dim'  up  de  bank  mo'  daid  dan  alive,  wid 
ev'y  hya'r  stickin'  ter  his  hide  and  de  water  runnin' 
offen  him  lak  rain.  He  wuz  right  aggervex',  'kase  hyar's 
don'  lak  ter  wet  der  footses  none  too  well.  He  gin  his- 
se'f  a  shake  an'  he  sez,  sezee,  ^Shucks !  dem  de  triflines' 
ducks  I  uver  see,  frightened  ef  a  man  sheks  his  li'l 
finger  at  'em;  an'  dat  ol'  log  so  slipp'y  you  hatter  have 
claws  ef  you  wanter  hoi'  outer  hit.' 

"  'Xemmine,  Mistah  Hyar','  sez  de  Mink,  sezee,  S^ou 
mus'  try  yo'  luck  ag'in.  You  mustn'  gin  up  on  de  fus' 
try.     I  g\\4ne  swim  roun'  on  tu'rr  side  de  ducks  an' 

263 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

drive  de  hull  ciimboodle  back  dis  side,  an'  yon  mns' 
stan'  raidy  ter  ketcli  one,  fer  I  boun'  yon  shell  have 
dnck  fer  vo'  dinner/ 

"Co'se  Hyar'  wan't  gwine  let  on  he'z  stnin^^ed,  so  he 
say  sort  er  kyar'less :  ^Oh  well,  so  be  ef  you  sesso,  'tain' 
gwine  faze  me  ter  ketch  one'r  dem  li'l  no-kyonnt  ducks ; 
me  dat  bin  hoein'  my  own  row  uver  sence  I  wuz  knee- 
high  to  a  hopper-grass.  I  gwine  nab  her  dis  time,  you 
kin  lemme  'lone  fer  dat.' 

"Mink  he  swimmed  off,  an'  Eabbit  he  go  up  on  de 
bank  an'  git  him  a  long  piece  er  dat  brambly  vine  dey 
calls  de  debil's-shoe-string.  Well,  he  tuck  an'  tuck  de 
piece  er  debil's-shoe-string  an'  crope  down  inter  de 
water  wid  hit  'twel  he  wuz  hidden,  all  but  his  nose  an' 
eyes.  Yer  come  ol'  Mink  drivin'  de  ducks  dat  way. 
One  un  'em  come  sailin'  to'des  Mistah  Hyar'  an'  he  jes' 
natchelly  grabbed  her  by  de  laig  an'  hilt  her  w'ile  he 
tied  her  laig  wid  de  debil's-shoe-string.  She  quacked 
an'  she  hollered  an'  she  flapped  an'  she  flew'd,  but  yit 
ol'  Hvar'  huns^  outer  de  brier.  ^Xo  use  ter  kick, 
ma'am,'  sezee,  ^  'kase  I  done  got  you  dis  time  an'  I 
gwine  hoi'  outer  you.' 

"  ^Um-umph  I  I  gwine  show  you  huccome,'  sez  Duck, 
sez  she,  an'  she  flew'd  up  an'  she  flew'd  up,  an'  Hyar' 
went  spinnin'  an'  whu'lin'  an'  kickin',  yit  he  ain'  let  go. 
Mink  he  wuz  stannin'  down  below  jes'  a-hollerin'  an' 
a-laughin',  clappin'  his  ban's  on  his  knees  an'  doublin' 
hisse'f  up  lak  a  jack-knife.  He  sing  out :  ^Hi-yi !  Mis- 
tah Hyar',  you  done  got  up  in  de  worl',  sho'  'nuff.  You 
bin  right  uppish  befo'  now;  I  don'  reckon  you  gwine 
speak  wid  common  folks  atter  dis.' 


264 


/ 


r  >         .   »-  ' 


HYAR     WENT   SPIXNIN      AX      WHL'  LIN      AN      KICKIN 


'  I     I  VT  '  4    NT  ' 


»•' 


MR.  HAEE,  ME.  MIXK  AXD  MIS'  DUCK 

"  ^I'll  speak  wid  you  w'en  I  git  back  f  \im  dis  trip ;  I 
tell  von  dat,  p'in'-blank/  yells  oY  Hyar',  lettin'  go  wid 
one  han'  long  ^luff  ter  sliek  his  fis'  at  Mistali  Mink. 
Mink  he  stood  watchin'  'em  'twel  dey  wan't  nuttin'  bnt 
a  speck.  Duck  she  flew'd  an'  she  flew'd  an'  she  fiew'd, 
an'  Hyar'  hilt  on  'twel  he  thought  his  paws  gwine  drap 
off.  He  argyfy  wid  her  an'  baig  an'  baig  her  please, 
ma'am,  ter  light  an'  let  him  go ;  but  she  jes'  quack  an' 
say :  ^Kain't  year  you,  suh ;  kain't  year  you.  You  hatter 
speak  louder,  my  years  ain'  w'at  dey  useter  wuz.' 

"Las'  he  cu'dden  hang  on  no  longer  an'  he  seed  dey 
wuz  right  over  a  ol'  sickymo'  tree,  an'  he  let  go  an' 
drapt  outer  de  tree.  But  de  tree  wuz  holler  an'  he  jes' 
drapt  right  down  eenside  'twel  he  struck  de  groun'.  He 
wuz  plumb  stunded  at  fus',  but  atter  w'ile  he  set  up 
an'  look'  roun'.  'Twuz  miofhtv  dark  in  dar  an'  he 
s'arch  an'  he  s'arch  fer  some  place  ter  git  out,  but 
'twan't  none  dar.  He  lissen  an'  he  lissen  an'  he  feel 
an'  he  feel,  but  dar  he  wuz,  shet  up  tight  wid  nuttin' 
but  a  speck  er  daylight,  'way  up  in  de  tree. 

"Las'  he  yearn  a  man  choppin'  in  de  woods  an'  he  say 
ter  hisse'f  dat  he  mus'  'trac'  de  'tention  er  dat  man  ef 
he  wanter  git  out.  ^Hi-yi !  Mistah  Man,'  sezee,  speakin' 
fine  lak  a  ooman,  ^come  yer,  Mistah  Man.' 

"Mistah  Man  ain'  year  him  an'  go  on  wid  de  choppin'. 
^Man  mus'  be  deaf  ez  a  pos','  sez  Hyar'  ter  hisse'f. 
^I  reckon  I  gotter  yell  loud  'nuff  ter  bus'  my  b'iler  ef 
I  wanter  git  outer  dis.'  He  try  hit  ag'in,  but  yit  de  man 
ain'  year.  Den  he  thought  mebbe  de  man  mought  year 
him  ef  he  sung  sump'n,  so  he  struck  up  a  ol'  chune  an' 
dese  wuz  de  wu'ds  whar  he  putt  wid  hit : 


265 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

'Oh  I  ef  I  had  a  needle, 

Ez  -fine  ez  I  cu'd  sew, 
Fd  stitch  my  true  love  to  my  side 

An'  down  de  river  I'd  go.' 

He  made  his  voice  jes'  lak  one'r  dese  yer  high,  fine, 
ladiz'  voices  whar  carry  de  soun'  a  long  ways,  an'  las' 
Mistah  Man  year  him  an'  he  say,  ^Mussy  me !  w'at  dat  ? 
'Pears  ter  me  I  year  a  ooman  gwine  on  inside  dat  tree.' 

"He  walk  np  an'  lean  his  haid  'gins'  de  tree  ter  lissen. 
Den  Hyar'  he  'gun  ter  holler  an'  cry  jes'  lak  a  ooman. 
He  say:  "Oh,  please,  Mistah  Man,  fer  ter  teck  yo'  ax 
an'  chop  a  hole  in  dis  tree  an'  lemme  ont.  You  done  tol' 
de  truf  e ;  I  t5  a  ooman,  an'  a  pooty  one  inter  de  bargum ; 
an'  ef  you  let  me  out  I  gwine  set  down  'long  side  er  you 
an'  let  you  look  at  me  all  you  wanter.' 

"  ^All  right,'  sez  de  man,  sezee,  grinnin'  ter  hisse'f ; 
'kase  all  mens  is  mo'  er  less  uv  fools  w'en  hit  come  ter 
de  marter  uv  a  good-lookin'  gal,  an'  he  chop  an'  he  chop, 
Jes'  mo'n  mekin'  de  chips  fly  in  his  has'e  ter  git  a  sight 
er  de  gal.  Hyar'  he  wuz  scrouched  down  in  a  cornder 
outer  de  way  er  de  ax,  an'  soon  ez  de  hole  wuz  big  'nuff 
he  tuck  an'  tuck  a  good  raidy  an'  w^ent  scootin'  out, 
right  'twix'  de  man's  laigs,  inter  de  bresh.  ^Hi-yi ! 
Mistah  Man,'  he  yell,  ^ain'  I  de  fine  shape  uv  a  gal? 
You  kin  have  me  ef  you  kin  ketch  me !'  an'  wid  dat  he 
wuz  off,  singin' : 

'Oh!  ef  I  had  a  needle, 
Ez  fine  ez  I  cud  sew, 
■  I'd  stitch  my  true  love  to  my  side 
An'  down  de  river  I'd  go.' 
266 


ME.  HAEE,  MR.  MIXK  AXD  MIS'  DUCK 

"Hyar'  he  done  got  so  hongry  in  cle  tree  dat  he 
'bleeged  ter  gnor  sump'n,  an'  dar  wan't  nuttin'  else,  so 
he  jes'  natehelly  tiirnt  to  an'  et  his  own  tail  of? ;  an'  dat 
huccome  hyars  bin  gwine  roun'  wid  shawt  tails  ontwel 
dis  day." 

"But,"  objected  Ned,  "I  thought  that  old  Hare  was 
dead.  You  told  us  that  they  killed  him  by  shooting 
him  in  the  paw,  and  that  they  punished  the  chick-a-dee 
for  bad  advice  by  cutting  the  end  of  his  tongue  off,  be- 
cause he  didn't  tell  them  at  first  to  shoot  the  Hare  in  the 
paw." 

Aunt  'Phrony  was  not  too  well  pleased  at  being  called 
to  account  for  resurrecting  her  hero,  but  she  conde- 
scended to  explain :  "Wy,  kain't  you  see  dat  dis  yer  hap- 
pen long  bef o'  de  time  w'en  he  got  shooted  in  de  paw  ? 
Dat's  plain  ez  de  nose  on  yo'  face.  'Kase  I  tell  you  dat 
tale  fus',  hit's  no  sign  dat  hit  happen  fus'.  I'se  gittin' 
so  ol'  an'  rambly  dat  you  hatter  let  me  go  back  on  my 
tracks  now  au'  den,  ef  you  wants  me  ter  go  on  wid  de 
tale-tellin'." 


267 


THE  HUMMING-BIED  AND  THE  TOBACCO 

After  Aunt  ^Phrony  liad  finislied  the  last  story,  she 
sat  puffing  vigorously  away  at  her  pipe,  apparently  for- 
getful of  her  young  visitors.  They  watched  her  with 
expectant  eyes,  waiting  for  the  moment  when  she  should 
have  had  her  smoke  out  and  be  ready  to  tell  them  an- 
other story.  The  small  boy  eyed  the  pipe  and  tlie  old 
woman  with  much  curiosity,  for  he  had  never  been  able 
to  understand  the  exact  relations  of  the  two,  nor  how 
so  much  smoke  could  pass  through  her  nostrils  without 
her  catching  fire.  Now  and  then  she  blew  the  smoke 
out  in  the  form  of  a  ring,  to  the  great  admiration  of  the 
little  boy.  At  last  he  made  bold  to  ask,  "^\unt  Throny, 
why  does  you  like  to  smoke  ?" 

She  eved  him  with  some  amusement  and  much  indul- 
gence  in  her  expression.  "Well,  my  baby,^'  she  said, 
"w'y  does  you  lak  ter  eat  vittles  T^ 

This  was  a  poser  to  the  little  boy,  who,  conscious  of  a 
preference  for  "vittles,"  was  quite  unable  to  explain  it. 

The  old  woman,  ^Dursuing  her  advantage,  went  on: 
"You  kain't  arnser  me  dat,  kin  you?  To  be  sho'  you 
kain't.  Well,  now,  I  gwine  tell  you,  honey;  I  laks  ter 
smoke  'kase  I  craves  hit,  an^  I  craves  hit  ^kase  my  daddy 
an'  all  his  folks  befo'  him  bin  cravin'  'baccy  an'  smokin' 
hit  mo'  'ears  dan  you  has  hya'rs  on  yo'  li'l  haid.  De  In- 
juns wuz  gre't  folks  fer  smokin',  an'  I  done  year  ni}^  dad- 

268 


THE    HrMMIXG-BIED    AXD   THE    TOBACCO 

dy  say  dat  white  folks  wan't  knowin'  nuttin'  'bout  'baccy 
'twel  dey  earned  ter  dis  kyountry  an'  seed  de  Injuns 
smokin'  hit.  Dey  smoked  w'en  dey  wuz  tired  an'  dey 
smoked  w'en  dey  wuz  hongry,  an'  dey  smoked  at  de 
kyouncil,  an'  dey  smoked  w'at  dey  called  de  'pipe  er 
peace'  w'en  dey  wuz  makin'  hit  up  wid  der  inimies,  an' 
dey  even  smoked  w'en  dey  wuz  gamblin',  fer  de  Injuns 
is  gre't  gaml)lers  an'  has  der  gamblin'  games^  same  ez 
de  white  folks.  'Deed  dey  has  w'at  dey  call  'gamblin' 
pipes' ;  I  seed  one  onct,  an'  'twuz  a  mighty  cute  li'l  con- 
trapshun,  made  outer  clay  an'  lookin'  sump'n  lak  a  li'l 
kittle  settin'  up  on  th'ee  feet,  an'  hit  have  six  holes  in 
hit  fer  de  pipe-stems.  I  'low  dat  dey  useter  sot  hit  on 
de  groun'  an'  den  set  roun'  hit,  an'  dat  de  pipe-stems 
wuz  mighty  long  an'  dey  all  puffed  away  toge'rr  widout 
havin'  ter  'tend  ter  der  pipes;  an'  I  'spec'  mebbe  'twuz 
some  savin'  on  de  'baccy,  too. 

Daddy  tol'  me  his  people  had  two  sawts  er  'baccy :  de 
common  kin'  whar  ev'yb'dy  smoke — dat  sawt  have  a  long 
leaf;  an'  de  sacred  'baccy  whar  dey  smoke  w'en  dey 
wanter  skeer  away  de  witches — dat  kin'  have  a  roun'  leaf. 
De  Injuns  b'lieve  in  witches  an'  ghos'es,  an'  dey  think  de 
ghos'es  comes  back  an'  meks  der  kin-folks  dream  'bout 
'em,  an'  'witches  'em  dat-a-way,  an'  dey  think  ef  sump'n 
ain'  done  "bout  hit,  de  pusson  gwine  die.  Dey  calls  dem 
ghos'es  'night  comers,'  an'  ter  git  shed  uv  one,  de  pus- 
son  whar  done  bin  'witched  tecks  some  er  de  sacred  'baccy 
an'  smokes  hit,  sayin'  over  some  wu'ds,  an'  de  smoke 
meks  de  ghos'  cough  an'  jes'  chokes  him  ter  def,  so  he 
kain't  come  back  no  mo'. 

"Daddv  sav  one  time  de  'baccv  wuz  tooken  'wav  f'um 

».  1/  *j  t/ 

de  people,  an'  dey  git  jes'  fair'  faint  fer  de  want  uv  hit. 

269 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

Las'  dey  foim'  out  'twnz  kep'  in  a  place  whar  dey  kain't 
git  at  hit,  an'  wuz  gyarded  clost  by  some  turr'bF  thing 
er  ruTr,  dough  dey  kain't  fin'  out  jes'  w'at  'twuz.  Dey 
called  a  kyouncil  toge'rr  an'  'cided  ter  sen'  one'r  de  cree- 
turs  atter  de  'baccy;  so  dey  pick'  out  one  dat  wuz  a 
mighty  swif  trabeler  'pun  de  groun',  an'  dey  tell  'im 
he  mus'  mek  gre't  has'e,  'kase  dey  oon  be  able  ter  keep 
up  no  sech  a  honin'  ez  dat  wuz  much  longer. 

"He  g'long  an'  he  trabel  an'  he  trabel  an'  de  people 
dey  wait  an'  dey  wait,  but  he  ain'  nuver  come  back. 
By  dat  time  dey  wuz  gwine  roun'  wid  der  empty  pipes 
in  der  moufs,  puffin'  'way  ter  keep  up  der  sperrits. 
Den  dey  tuck  an'  sont  fo'th  nu'rr  creetur  whar  trabel 
'pun  de  groun',  mo'  swifter  dan  de  fus'  one,  an'  he  ain' 
come  back,  neener.  Den  dey  sont  mo'  an'  mo'  er  dat 
'ar  kin',  an'  none  uv  'em  camed  back;  so  las'  dey  see 
dat  ain'  gwine  do. 

^^Den  de  cunjerers  dey  say :  ^Le's  we-all  call  up  dat  wise 
man,  Mistah  ^lole,  whar  trabel  un'need  de  groun',  an' 
see  w'at  he  kin  do  fer  us.'  So  dey  call  Mistah  Mole 
up  f  um  de  groun',  'kase  he  wuz  'bleeged  ter  come  at  de 
spell  er  de  cunjerers,  an'  he  'greed  ter  unnerteck  de  biz- 
ness,  dough  he  knowed  'twuz  mighty  dangersome  an' 
dat  he  wuz  a  fibble  pusson  an'  blin'  inter  de  bargum. 
Yit  dis  is  w'at  he  thought  ter  hisse'f :  ^I'll  jes'  keep 
scoopin'  'long  un'need  de  groun'  whar  no  pusson  kain't 
see  me,  an'  w'en  I  git  ter  de  place  whar  de  'baccy  is,  I'll 
jes'  natchelly  retch  one  paw  outen  de  groun'  an'  snatch 
de  seed  an'  go  back  de  way  I  come,  an'  den  de  people 
kin  plant  de  seed  an'  grow  all  de  'baccy  dey  wanter.' 

"Mistah  Mole  he  start  out  on  his  trip,  pryin'  an' 
prizin'  up  de  groun'  ez  he  go,  an'  scoopin'  an'  shovelin' 

370 


THE  HUMMIXG-BIED  AXD  THE  TOBACCO 

wid  dem  li'l  paws  er  his'n.  Las'  he  git  mighty  tired 
an'  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  ^Mussy  sakes !'  sezee,  'yev  I  bin 
diggin'  an'  scratchin'  wid  my  han's  an'  pryin'  an'  prizin' 
wid  my  nose  all  dis  time ;  'pears  lak  I  orter  be  nigh  dat 
'baccy ;  I  gwine  poke  my  paw  out  an'  feel.'  Wid  dat  he 
"up  an'  stuck  one  paw  thu  de  groun'  an'  suz !  de  Thunder 
an'  Lightnin'  whar  wuz  gyardin'  de  'baccy,  dey  jes'  up 
an'  hit  him  a  clip  an'  dar  he  wuz,  strotch  out  daider'n 
a  do'-naiL 

"De  kyouncil  dey  waited  an'  dey  waited,  an'  de  peo- 
ple dey  waited  an'  dey  waited,  but  Mistah  Mole  ain' 
come  back.  Den  dey  confab  toge'rr  an'  mek  up  der 
min's  dat  'twan't  wuf  de  w'ile  ter  send  an3'thing  dat 
walk  'pun  de  groun'  er  anything  dat  creep  unner  hit, 
an'  dey  'gree  dat  dey  bes'  sen'  sump'n  dat  iiy  'bove  hit. 

"Dey  study  'bout  hit  an'  study  'bout  hit,  fer  dey  ain' 
wanter  mek  no  mo'  mistakes,  an'  las'  dey  mek  up  der 
min's  an'  dey  sez  ter  de  Hummin'-bu'd,  '^Mistah  Hum- 
min'-bu'd,  to  be  sho'  you  is  de  smalles'  fowel  er  de  lot, 
but  you  is  sut'n'y  de  swif'es',  so  we  gwine  send  you  on 
dis  errant,  an'  mebbe  yo'  size'll  he'p  you  out ;  sometimes 
dese  yer  li'l  mens  kin  go  whar  de  big  ones  kain't.' 

"Hummin-bu'd  he  wuz  a  mighty  peart,  likely  li'l 
feller  whar  ain'  'feard  er  nuttin'  in  dis  'varsil  worl',  an' 
he  say,  ^W'y,  sut'n'y,  gemmen,  I  be  mighty  glad  ter  go 
fer  you-all.  I'll  do  de  bes'  I  kin  in  dis  marter,  dough 
mebbe  'twon't  be  much.'  Den  he  g'long  off,  an'  he  fly 
an'  he  fly,  an'  he  go  up,  up,  up,  ontwel  he  wuz  higher 
dan  de  clouds,  an'  den  he  seed  de  Thunder  an'  Lightnin' 
keepin'  gyard  over  de  'baccy  plant  whar  wuz  'way  down 
below. 

"Hummin'-bu'd   he   say   ter   hisse'f,    sezee,    'Lawdy, 

271 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

lawdy !  dis  de  time  I  gotter  keep  might}^  quiet  an'  lay 
mighty  low  an'  go  mighty  sof  an'  move  mighty  lively, 
er  I  be  Mistah  Xob'dv-f  um-no-whar  befo'  I  knows  hit.' 

"He  stop'  whirrin'  his  wings  an'  kep'  so  still  dat  de 
gre't  big  flamin',  flarin'  eyes  er  de  Thunder  an'  Lightnin' 
ain'  ketch  sight  uv  him^  an'  w'en  he  seed  a  good  chanct 
he  jes'  drapt  right  down  an'  sucked  de  flower  er  de 
'baccy  plant  un'  kyar'd  'way  de  seed  in  his  mouf  an' 
bringed  hit  ter  de  people. 

"De  Thunder  an'  Lightnin'  rolled  der  eyes  an' 
gnashed  der  toofs  an'  growled^  but  'twan't  no  use;  de 
people  had  de  seed  an'  dey  done  kep'  hit. 

"So  de  Injuns  owed  de  'baccy  ter  de  Hummin'-bu'd, 
an'  dat  de  reason  w'v,  uver  sence  dat  time  dev  love  de 
li'l  WahleJu;  dat  de  name  dey  calls  de  pooty  li'l  feller 
whar  fly  so  fas'  he  done  beat  de  Thunder  an'  Lightnin 


?  5^ 


272 


WHY  MOLES  HAVE  HANDS 


One  day  the  children  came  running  to  Aunt  Nancy 
with  a  mole  which  one  of  the  dogs  had  just  killed.  They 
had  never  seen  one  before  and  were  very  curious  as  to 
what  it  might  be. 

"Well,  bef  o'  de  king  V  said  Nancy,  "whar  y'all  bin 
livin'  dat  you  nuver  seed  a  mole  bef o'  ?  Whar  you  come 
f'um  mus'  be  a  mighty  cur'ous  spot  ef  dey  ain'  have 
no  moleses  dar;  mus'  be  sump'n  wrong  wid  dat  place. 
I  bin  mos'  all  over  dish  yer  Sussex  kyounty  endurin'  er 
my  time,  an'  I  ain'  nuver  come  'cross  no  place  yit  whar 
dey  ain'  have  moleses. 

"Moleses  is  sut'n'y  cur'ous  li'l  creeturs/'  she  contin- 
ued. "I  bin  teckin'  'tickler  notuss  un  'em  dis  long  time, 
an'  dey  knows  mo'n  you'd  think  fer,  jes'  ter  look  at  'em. 
Dough  dey  lives  down  un'need  de  groun',  yit  dey  is  fus'- 
elass  swimmers;  I  done  seed  one,  wid  my  own  eyes, 
crossin'  de  branch,  an'  dey  kin  root  'long  un'need  de 
yearf  mos'  ez  fas'  ez  a  boss  kin  trot  on  top  uv  hit.  Y'all 
neenter  look  dat-a-way,  'kase  hit's  de  trufe;  dey's  jes' 
built  fer  gittin'  'long  fas'  unner  groun'.  Der  ban's  is 
bofe  pickaxes  an'  shovels  fer  'em ;  dey  digs  an'  scoops 
wid  der  front  ones  an'  kicks  de  dirt  out  de  way  wid  der 
behime  ones.  Der  strong  snouts  he'ps  'em,  too,  ter  push 
der  way  thu  de  dirt." 

"Their  fur  is  just  as  soft  and  shiny  as  silk,"  said 
Janey. 

273 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

"Yas,"  said  Aunt  Nancy,  "hit's  dat  sof  an'  shiny  dat, 
dough  dey  live  all  time  in  de  dirt,  not  a  speck  er  dirt 
sticks  to  'em.  You  ses  'sof  an'  shinv  ez  silk,'  but  I  tell 
you  hit  is  silk ;  silk  clo'es,  dat  'zackly  w'at  'tis." 

Xed  laughed.  "Who  ever  heard  of  an  animal  dressed 
in  silk  clothes?"  he  said. 

"Nemmine,"  she  answered,  "you  talks  mighty  peart, 
but  I  knows  w'at  I  knows,  an'  dish  yer  I  bin  tellin'  you 
is  de  sho'-'nuff  trufe." 

"Just  see  its  paws,"  Janey  went  on,  "why,  they  look 
exactly  like  hands." 

"Look  lak  han'sl  looh  lak  ban's!  umph !  dey  is  ban's, 
all  thumbered  an'  fingered  jes  lak  yo'n;  an',  w'at's  mo', 
dey  wuz  onct  human  ban's;  human,- dey  wuz  so!" 

"How  could  they  ever  have  been  human  hands  and 
then  been  put  on  a  mole's  body  ?"  asked  Xed.  "I  believe 
most  things  you  say.  Aunt  Nancy,  but  I  can't  swallow 
that." 

"Dar's  a  li'l  boy  roun'  dese  diggin's  whar  talkin' 
mighty  sassy  an'  rambunkshus,  seem  ter  me.  I  ain'  ax 
you  ter  swoller  nuttin'  't  all,  but  'pears  ter  me  y'all  bin 
swoUerin'  dem  'ar  ol'  tales  right  an'  lef ,  faster'n'  I  kin 
call  'em  ter  min',  an'  I  ain'  seed  none  er  you  choke  on 
'em  yit,  ner  cry,  ^nuff  said.  I'se  'tickler  saw'y  'bout  dis, 
'kase  I  done  had  hit  in  min'  ter  tell  you  a  tale  'bout 
huccome  moleses  have  han'ses,  whar  I  I'arn  f'um  a 
ooman  dat  come  f'um  Fauquier  kyounty,  but  now  dat 
Mars'  Ned  'pear  ter  be  so  jubous  'bout  hit,  I  ain'  gwine 
was'e  my  time  on  folks  whar  ain'  gwine  b'lieve  me,  no- 
hows.  Nemmine,  de  chillen  over  on  de  Thompson  place 
gwine  baig  me  fer  dat  tale  w'en  I  goes  dar  ag'in,  an'. 


274 


WHY    MOLES    HAVE    HAXDS 

w'at's  mo',  dey  gwine  git  hit ;  fer  dey  b'lieves  ev'y  wu'd 
dat  draps  f  um  mv  moiif ,  lak  'twuz  de  law  an'  de  gospil." 

Of  course,  the  children  protested  that  they  were  as 
ready  to  hang  upon  her  words  as  the  Thompson  children 
could  possibly  be,  and  presented  their  prior  claim  to  the 
tale  in  such  moving  fashion  that  Aunt  Xancy  was  finally 
prevailed  upon  to  come  down  from  her  high  horse  and 
tell  the  story. 

"I  done  tol'  you/'  she  said,  "dat  dem  'ar  ban's  is 
human,  an'  I  mean  jes'  w'at  I  ses,  'kase  de  moleses  useter 
be  folks,  sho'-'nuff  folks,  dough  dey  is  all  swunk  up  ter 
dis  size  an'  der  ban's  is  all  dat's  lef  ter  tell  de  tale. 
Yas,  sub,  in  de  ol'  days,  so  fur  back  dat  you  kain't 
kyotmt  hit,  de  moleses  wuz  folks,  an'  mighty  proud  an' 
biggitty  folks  at  dat.  Dey  wan't  gwine  be  ketched  wear- 
in'  any  er  dish  yer  kaliker,  er  linsey-woolsey,  er  home- 
spun er  sech  ez  dat,  ner  even  broadclawf,  ner  bombazine, 
naw  sub !  Dey  jes'  tricked  derse'fs  out  in  de  fines'  an' 
shinies'  er  silk,  nuttin'  mo'  ner  less,  an'  den  dey  went 
a-traipsin'  up  an'  down  an'  hether  an'  yon,  fer  tu'rr  folks 
ter  look  at  an'  mek  'miration  over.  Mo'n  dat,  dey  'uz 
so  fine  an'  fiddlin'  dey  oon  set  foot  ter  de  groun'  lessen 
dar  wuz  a  kyarpet  spread  down  fer  'em  ter  walk  on.  Dey 
tells  me  hit  sut'n'y  wuz  a  sight  in  de  worl'  ter  see  dem 
'ar  folks  walkin'  up  an'  down  on  de  kyarpets,  trailin' 
an'  rus'lin'  der  silk  clo'es,  an'  curchyin'  an'  bobbin'  ter 
one  nu'rr  w'en  dey  met  up,  but  nuver  speakin'  ter  de 
common  folks  whar  walkin'  on  de  groun',  ner  even  so 
much  ez  lookin'  at  'em.  Wats  mo',  dey  wuz  so  uppish 
dev  thouo^ht  de  vearf  wuz  too  low  down  fer  'em  even  ter 
run  der  eyes  over,  so  dey  went  'long  wid   der  haids 


275 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

r'ared  an'  dcr  e3'es  all  time  lookin'  up,  sticlder  down. 
You  kin  be  sho'  dem  gwines-on  ain'  mek  ^em  pop'lous 
wid  tu'rr  folks,  'kase  peoj^le  jes'  natchelly  kain't  stan'  hit 
ter  have  you  th'owin'  up  to  ^em  dat  you  is  better'n  w'at 
dey  is,  w'en  all  de  time  dey  knows  you're  nuttin'  but 
folks,  same  'z  dem. 

"Dey  kep'  gwine  on  so-fashion,  an'  gittin'  mo'  an'  mo' 
pompered  an'  uppish,  'twel  las'  dey  'tracted  de  'tention 
er  de  Lawd,  an'  He  say  ter  Hisse'f,  He  do,  ^Wlio  is  dese 
yer  folks,  anyhows,  whar  gittin'  so  airish,  walkin'  up 
an'  down  an'  back  an'  fo'th  on  my  yearf  an'  spurnin'  hit 
so's't  dey  spread  k3^arpets  'twix'  hit  an'  der  footses, 
treatin'  my  yearf,  w'at  I  done  mek,  lak  'twuz  de  dirt 
un'need  der  footses,  an'  'spisin'  der  feller  creeturs  an' 
excusin'  'em  er  bein'  common,  an'  keepin'  der  eyes  turnt 
up  all  de  time,  ez  ef  dey  wuz  too  good  ter  look  at  de 
things  I  done  mek  an'  putt  on  my  yearf?  I  mus'  see 
'bout  dis ;  I  mus'  punish  dese  'sumptions  people  an' 
show  'em  dat  one'r  my  creeturs  is  jes'  ez  low  down  ez 
tu'rr,  in  my  sight.' 

"So  de  Lawd  He  pass  jedgment  on  de  moleses.  Fus' 
He  tuck  an'  made  'em  lose  der  human  shape  an'  den  He 
swunk  'em  up  ontwel  dey  'z  no  bigger'n  dey  is  now,  dat 
'uz  ter  show  'em  how  no-kyount  dev  wuz  in  His  sidit. 
Den  bekase  dey  thought  derse'fs  too  good  ter  walk  'pun 
de  bare  groun'  He  sont  'em  ter  live  un'need  hit,  Avhar 
dev  hatter  dio^  an'  scratch  der  wav  'Ions:.  Las'  uv  all  He 
tuck  an'  tuck  'way  der  eves  an'  made  'em  blin',  dat's 
'kase  dey  done  'spise  ter  look  at  der  feller  creeturs.  But 
He  feel  kind  er  saw'y  fer  'em  w'en  He  git  dat  fur,  an'  He 
ain'  wanter  punish  'em  too  haivy,  so.  He  lef '  'em  dese  silk 
elo'es  whar  I  done  tol'  you  'bout,  an'  dese  ban's  whar 

276 


WHY    MOLES    HAVE    HAXDS 

you  kin  see  fer  yo'se'fs  is  himian,  an'  I  reckon  bofe  dem 
things  putt  'em  in  min'  er  w'at  dev  useter  be  an'  mek  'em 
'umble.  Uver  sence  den  de  moleses  bin  gwine  'long 
un'need  de  groun'^  'cordin  ter  de  jedgmen'  er  de  Lawd, 
an'  diggin'  an'  scratchin'  der  way  tbu  de  worl',  in  trial 
an'  tribilashun,  wid  dem  po'  li"l  human  han'ses.  An' 
dat  orter  I'arn  you  w'at  comes  er  folks  'spisin'  der  fel- 
ler creeturs^  an'  I  want  y'all  ter  'member  dat  nex'  time 
I  year  you  call  dem  Thompson  chillen  Hrash.'  " 

"I'd  like  to  know  what  use  moles  are/'  said  Xed,  who 
was  of  rather  an  investigating  turn  of  mind ;  "they  just 
go  around  rooting  through  the  ground  spoiling  people's 
gardens,  and  I  don't  see  what  they're  good  for;  you 
can't  eat  them  or  use  them  any  way." 

"Sho',  chir !"  said  Aunt  Xancv,  "you  dunno  w'at  you 
talkin'  'bout;  de  Lawd  have  some  use  fer  ey'y  creetur 
He  done  mek.  Dey  tells  me  dat  de  moleses  eats  up  lots 
er  bugs  an'  T^-u'ms  an'  sech  ez  dat,  dat  mought  hurt  de 
craps  ef  dey  wuz  let  ter  live.  Sidesen  dat,  jes'  gimme 
one'r  de  claws  er  dat  mole,  an'  lemme  hang  hit  roun' 
de  neck  uy  a  baby  whar  cuttin'  his  toof  s,  an'  I  boun'  you, 
ev'y  toof  in  his  jaws  gwine  come  bustin'  thu  his  goms 
widout  nair'  a  ache  er  a  pain  ter  let  him  know  dey's  dar. 
Don'  talk  ter  me  'bout  de  moleses  bein'  wufless !  I 
done  walk  de  fio'  too  much  wid  cryin'  babies  not  ter 
know  de  use  er  moleses." 

^You  don't  really  belieye  that,  do  you  ?"  asked  Xed. 
'B'lieye  hit  I"  sne  answered  indignantly ;  "I  don' 
b'lieve  hit,  I  Imows  hit.  I  done  tol'  you  all  de  things  a 
hyar's  foot  kin  do ;  w'ats  de  reason  a  mole's  foot  ain' 
good  fer  sump'n,  too  ?  Ef  folks  on'y  knowed  mo'  about 
sech  kyores  ez  dat  dar  neenter  be  so  much  sickness  an' 

•277 


"1 


AT    THE    BIG   HOUSE 

misery  in  de  worF.  I  done  kyored  myse'f  er  de  rhenma- 
tiz  in  my  right  arm  jes'  by  tyin'  a  eel-skin  roiin'  hit, 
an'  ev'yb'dy  on  dis  plantation  knows  dat  ef  you'll  wrop 
a  chil's  hva'r  wid  eel-skin  strinsrs  hit's  bonn'  ter  mek 
hit  grow.  Ef  you  want  de  chil'  hisse'f  ter  grow  an'  ter 
walk  soon  you  mus'  bresh  his  feet  wid  de  broom.  I 
oon  tell  you  dis  ef  I  hadn'  tried  'em  myse'f.  You 
mus'n'  talk  so  biofofittv  'bout  w'at  you  dunno  nuttin' 
't  all  about.  You  come  f'um  up  N'orf  yonner,  an'  mebbe 
dese  things  don'  wu'k  de  same  dar  ez  w'at  dey  does  down 
yer  on  dis  ol'  plantation  whar  we  bin  'pendin'  on  'em  so 
long." 


278 


THE  FOX  AXD  THE  DUCK 


One  night  when  Aunt  Xancy  was  putting  the  children 
to  bed,  and  they  were,  as  usual,  begging  for  a  story  to 
go  to  sleep  upon,  she  asked,  "Is  I  uver  toF  you  anything 
'bout  ol'  Mis'  Duck  ?" 

The  children  said  that  she  had  never  told  them  a 
duck  story,  but  that  Aunt  'Phrony  had. 

"Lawsy !  I  dunno  huccome  I  ter  fergit  ter  tell  you 
'bout  her,"  she  said;  "mebbe  'kase  she  sech  a  li'l  runt 
uv  a  fowl.  But  nemmine  dat,  she  got  plenty  sense,  an' 
one  time  she  fool  Mistah  Fox,  sho'  'nuff.  Look  lak  some 
pusson  er  ru'rr  all  time  foolin'  him,  an  I  kain't  'zackly 
see  thu  dat,  'kase  dese  d,a3's  he's  mighty  smart  an'  up  ter 
snuff  an'  kin  dodge  de  houn's  an'  de  hunters  de  pooties' 
uver  vou  see.  Looks  lak  in  dem  davs  thino;s  wuz  sort  er 
lak  dreams,  jes'  de  contrary-ways  f'um  w'at  dey  is  now. 
Anyways,  she  knowed  how  ter  bamboozle  him  somehow 
er  ru'rr. 

"One  time  she  wuz  gwine  waddlin'  down  ter  de  branch, 
talkin'  'wav  ter  husse'f,  hard  'z  she  kin,  runnin'  on 
quackin'  an'  scoldin'  'bout  dis  an'  dat.  Mistah  Fox  he 
wuz  nosin'  roun'  thu  de  woods  an'  he  year  her,  an'  he 
say  ter  hisse'f,  he  do,  '^Yer's  whar  I  gwine  git  me  a  good 
meal  er  vittles;  I  reckon  she  jes'  'bout  big  'nuff  ter  fill 
me  chock-full,  an'  she  look  right  young,  so  I  'spec'  she's 

279 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

plump  an'  tender/  He  smack  his  lips  an'  go  rackin' 
roun'  ter  de  front  an'  squat  down  behime  a  tree,  an' 
w'en  she  git  mos'  up  ter  him  he  jump  out  an'  nab  her 


.- '    ( 


by  de  neck  an'  fling  'er  'cross  his  shoulder  an'  g'long 
singin'. 

"All  de  time  he  wuz  singin'  j\Iis'  Duck  she  wuz  hang- 
in'  haid  down,  jes'  a-kickin'  an'  a-scufflin',  but  'twan't 
no  use ;  Fox  he  hilt  on,  he  did,  an'  he  jes'  let  her  go  on 
jawin'  all  she  wanter.     Las'  she  stop  her  racket  an'  set 

280 


THE    FOX    AND    THE    DUCK 

her  min'  ter  wu'k  on  de  qiieschin  uv  how  ter  git  outer 
de  pickle  whar  she  wuz  in.  Pres'n'y  she  say,  ^'Scuse  me, 
please,  suh,  Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox,  I  lak  ter  talk  to 
you  a  li'l  bit,  but  hit's  mighty  hard  wu'k  wid  my  haid 
hangin'  down  so  turr'bl'  slanchindicular.  I  ax  you, 
please  fer  ter  fix  me  wid  my  haid  a  li'l  higher,  suh/ 

"  ^Xaw,  ma  am'  sez  de  Fox,  sezee,  ^I  knows  'nuff  ter 
hoF  onter  a  good  thing  w'en  I  gits  hit.' 

"  ^Laws-a-mussy,  Mistah  Fox,'  sez  Duck,  sez  she,  ^you 
is  mighty  flattersome  in  yo'  remarks;  I  ain'  gwine  try 
ter  chouse  you  outer  yo'  dinner,  'deed  I  ain'.  But  w'ile 
we  joggin  'long  yer,  I  jes'  lak  ter  ax  you,  suh,  ef  you  lak 
pig  ter  eat  ?' 

"  ^Xow  you  talkin','  sezee,  an'  he  smack  his  lips  so  loud 
dat  hit  sont  col'  shivers  up  an'  down  Mis'  Duck's  spine, 
an'  he  say,  "^W'at  de  marter.  Mis'  Duck ;  w'at  you  shiver 
'bout  dis  wo'm  day  ?' 

"She  wuz  too  proud  ter  let  on  dat  she  wuz  'feard,  so 
she  say,  'Oh,  nuttin'  't  all,  Mistah  Fox,  jes'  a  li'l  tetch 
er  de  ager ;  you  know  w'en  you  got  dat  you  'bleeged  ter 
shiver,  nemmine  how  wo'm  de  day  is.'  Den  she  go  on 
ag'in  'bout  pig.  She  say,  '^So  you  sho'  'nuff  does  lak  pig, 
suh.    I  done  vear  tell  vou  did,  but  I  wan't  sho'  'bout  hit.' 

"Fox  he  got  his  min'  on  pig  an'  seem  lak  he  kain't  git 
hit  olf ,  an'  las'  he  git  kind  er  mad  'kase  dar  wan't  no  pig 
ter  be  had,  an'  he  say,  sezee,  'Look-a-yer,  ooman,  I  dunno 
huccome  you  name  dat  meat  ter  me  w'en  you  knows  I 
kain't  git  me  none.' 

"Mis'  Duck  she  ses,  sez  she,  'Xow,  I  ax  you  fer  ter  tell 
me  de  plain  trufe,  suh;  w'icht  does  you  perfer,  pig  er 
duck  ?' 

"Sezee,   'Gimme  pig  ev'y  time,   'kase  'tain'  got  no 

281 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

fedders.  I  tell  you,  ma'am,  w'en  you  swollers  duck 
down  de  way  I  does,  fedders  an'  all,  yo'  th'oat  gits 
mighty  woolly  sometimes.  I  e'en  about  'spec'  I'll  choke 
ter  def  yit  on  duck  some  er  dese  times.' 

^^  ''SarYC  you  right,  an'  I  hopes  you  will,'  sez  Mis' 
Duck  ter  husse'f.  Den  she  sing  out,  ^So  you  perfers 
pig,  suh.  Putt  me  down,  den,  land  knows !  an'  I'll 
show  you  whar  you  kin  git  you  a  hull  litter  er  pigs !' 

"Fox  sezee,  ^Wellum,  yer  goes  fer  de  pigs,  an'  min' 
you  walk  straight,  fer  ef  I  fin'  any  foolin'  'bout  dis 
bizness  I  ain'  gwine  gin  you  time  ter  say  yo'  pra'rs. 
You  jes'  mosey  'long  in  front  er  me,  please  ma'am.' 

"She  tuck  an'  tuck  him  to  a  place  whar  a  gus'-root 
wuz  blowed  up  clean  outen  de  groun',  an'  she  p'inted  hit 
out  to  'im  an'  tol'  'im  dat  behime  dar  wuz  de  litter  er 
pigs,  an'  dat  he  mus'  run  f'um  a  piece  off  an'  jump  de 
gus'-root  right  inter  de  baid  er  pigs  an'  s'prise  'em  dat- 
a-way, so's't  he  cu'd  git  'em  easy. 

"01'  Fox  he  'gree  ter  dis,  an'  he  run  back  a  li'l  ways 
an'  tuck  a  big  bref  an'  spit  on  his  han's  an'  th'owed  one 
foot  front  an'  tu'rr  one  behime,  an'  teetered  back  an' 
f  o'th  a  minnit  ter  git  a  good  swing  on  him.  Den  he  bus' 
inter  a  run  an'  lipt  de  gus'-root  widout  techin'  foot  to 
hit  an'  lan'ed  in  de  midse  er  de  litter.  But  bless  good- 
ness, 'twan't  no  litter  er  pigs,  'twuz  ol'  Mis'  Dog  an'  her 
li'l  chillen. 

"  ^Ow !  wow !'  sez  she,  SYho  dis  owdacious  creetur  dat 
come  a-r'arin'  an'  a-chargin'  inter  my  house,  'sturbin  me 
an'  my  f ambly  ?  Ef  'tain'  dat  good-f er-nuttin'  piece  uy 
imp'ence,  ol'  man  Fox.  I  gwine  show  you  huccome,  dat 
I  is !  I  let  you  know  you  kain't  come  'stroyin'  de  peace 
uv  'spectable  folks  no  sech  a  ways  ez  dat.     Stay  yer  one 

9,Q0 

/v  LJ  -W 


THE    FOX    AXD    THE    DUCK 

minnit  longer  an'  I  gwine  putt  my  foot  down  yo' 
th'oat !' 

"Wid  dat  Fox  he  lipt  outer  de  baid  faster  dan  he  got 
in  an'  jes'  went  a-scootin',  Mis'  Dog  atter  him,  hot-foot. 
]\Iis'  Duck  she  wuz  behime  de  gus'-root  jes'  a-snickerin' 
an'  a-snortin'.  Fox  he  ketched  sight  uv  her  an'  he  sung 
out,  ^Xemmine,  Mis'  Duek,  3'ou  is  de  'casion  uv  all  dis 
rumpus.  I  reckon  you  think  dish  yer's  a  might}'  funny 
prank  you  played  me,  but  I  gwine  pay  you  back  fer  dis ; 
jes'  you  wait,  ma'am.  You  gwine  teck  nu'rr  free  ride  on 
my  shoulder  'fo'  you  knows  hit,  an'  dat  time  you  won't 
ofit  off  so  easv.  You  kin  pin  hit  down  in  yo'  'meml)'ance 
dat  I  gwine  pay  you  back  wid  int'res'  on  de  money.' 

"Mis'  Duck  she  knowed  he  dassent  ter  stop  right  den, 
so  she  let  out  one  big  hoot  an'  she  ses,  sez  she,  "^So  do, 
Mistah  Fox,  so  do.  Xow's  yo'  time,  suh;  de  sooner  de 
better.  AMiyn't  you  stoj),  suh?  You  ain'  nuver  gwine 
ketch  me  no  younger.  Better  not  wait,  suh;  de  longer 
YOU  waits  de  older  an'  tou2:her  I  srows.' 

"But  ol'  man  Fox  knowed  too  much  ter  stop  w'en  Mis' 
Dog  wuz  at  his  heels,  so  he  went  a-sailin'  an'  lef  Mis' 
Duck  stannin"  by  de  puppies  jes'  a-quackin'  an'  a-cack- 
lin'  an'  a-laughin'.  An'  uver  senpe  dat  time  dar  ain'  bin 
much  love  los'  'twix  de  foxes  an'  de  ducks.  I  reckon  de 
foxes  has  done  paid  'em  out  mo'n  a  hunderd  times  fer 
dat  trick." 


283 


WHY  THE  GEOUXD-HOG  HAS  A  SHORT  TAIL 

One  evening  the  children  went  down  to  Aunt  Thro- 
ny's  cabin  and  found  her  and  her  grandson,  William, 
hovering  over  a  handful  of  embers,  for  the  nights  were 
growing  a  little  chilly.  The  old  woman  was  singings 
and  she  rocked  back  and  forth  in  time  to  the  music,  as 
she  led  with  the  words  of  the  hymn,  while  William 
joined  in  the  refrain  of  the  old-time  favorite, 

DOWX  BY  THE  EIVER 

Whai^'s  all  dem  cliillen  dress'  in  ivliite, 

Down  hy  de  river? 
Mus'  ie  de  chillen  er  de  Is' elite, 

Doivn  hy  de  river  side. 

Refrain:     Oli !  ice'll  end  dis  tear, 

Down  hy  the  river; 
We'll  end  dis  ivar, 

Doivn  hy  de  river  side. 

Wliar's  all  dem  cliillen  dress'  in  red, 

Down  hy  de  river? 
Mu^'  he  de  cliillen  ivliar  Moses  led, 

Down  hy  de  river  side. — Befrain. 
28-i 


WHY  THE  GEOrXD-HOG  HAS  A  SHORT  TAIL 

Whar's  all  Jem  chillen  dress'  in  green, 

Down  hy  de  river? 
Mils'  he  de  cliillen  icliar  Joshua  seen, 

Down  hy  de  river  side. — Refrain. 

Whar's  all  dem  chillen  dress'  in  pinlc, 

Down  hy  de  river? 
Mus'  he  de  chillen  whar  tecl'in  a  drinh, 

Down  hy  de  river  side. — Refrain, 

Whar's  all  dem  chillen  dress'  in  yaller, 

Down  hy  de  river? 
Oh,  dar  whar  de  water  it  run  mighty  shall er, 

Down  hy  de  river  side. — Refrain, 

Whar's  all  dem  ch  illen  dress'  in  gray, 

Down  hy  de  river? 
j\Ius'  he  de  chillen  whar  squandered  away, 

Down  hy  de  river  side. — Refrain, 

Whangs  all  dem  chillen  dress'  in  hlacJc, 

Dozen  hy  de  river  ? 
Mus'  he  de  chillen  ivhar  done  turn  hach, 

Down  hy  de  river  side. — Refrain. 

Whar's  all  dem  chillen  dress'  in  hlue, 

Down  hy  de  river  f 
Mus'  he  de  chillen  whar  done  come  thu, 

Down  hy  de  river  side. — Refrain. 

The  children  waited  until  the  Israelites  were'  safelv 
brought  through  before  announcing  themselves,  when 

285 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

they  were  cordially  welcomed  to  the  fireside,  for  Aunt 
^Phrony  was  in  an  unusually  genial  mood,  possibly  in- 
duced by  her  favorite  hymn  and  the  triumphant  passage 
of  the  children  of  Israel. 

^^Come  right  in  yer  an'  set  yo'  li'l  se'fs  down  by  de 
fire,"  she  said.  "Snip,  git  yo'  lazy  kyarkiss  offen  dat 
cheer  an'  let  Miss  Janey  have  hit.  ]\Iin'  w'at  I  say  to 
you,  cat,  er  I  come  dar  an'  cuff  you.  Snap,  teck  yo'se'f 
offen  dat  h'ath  an'  gin  dese  chillen  room  ter  putt  der 
footses  down.  I  nuver  seed  a  dog  dat  cu'd  spread  hisse'f 
over  so  much  ha'th-room  ez  w'at  he  kin.  Well,  chillen, 
I  bin  studvin'  'bout  y'all  dis  ve'y  day.  Wi'vum  he  bin 
huntin'  an'  bringed  home  a  groun'-hog  wid  him  an'  dat 
putt  me  in  min'  uv  a  tale  I  wanter  tell  y'all  'bout,  how 
de  groun'-hog  come  ter  have  such  a  shawt  tail. 

"One  time  he  wuz  gwine  'long  studyin'  'bout  odds 
an'  een's  an'  not  payin  no  'tention  ter  whar  he  wuz  er 
w'at  he  ^Taz  doin',  an'  fus'  news  he  knowed  he  run  spang 
up  ag'in  a  gang  er  wolfs  an'  dey  nabbed  him  in  a  jiff 
an'  wuz  gwinter  mek  a  meal  offen  him,  den  an'  dar. 
Oroun'-hog  he  wuz  right  boddered.  ^How  in  de  name  er 
common  sense  did  I  run  my  haid  inter  sech  a  trap  ez 
dis?'  sezee;  %ok  lak  I  bin  rootin'  roun'  thu  de  worl' 
'long  'nuff  ter  keep  outen  sech  messes  ez  dis.  Well,  I 
reckon  nob'dy  kin  live  long  'nuff  not  ter  gin  hisse'f  a 
s'prise  now  an'  den.  De  thing  fer  me  is  not  ter  let  on 
befo'  dese  gemmen  dat  I'se  skeered,  an'  mebbe  I'll  pull 
thu  yit  somehow  er  ru'rr.' 

"But  w'en  dey  ^mencecl  rampin'  an'  roarin'  all  roun' 
'im  an'  gnashin'  der  toofs  at  'im  hit  mek  'im  feel  kind 
er  f aintyfied,  an'  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  he  do,  ^Lawd,  lawd ! 
I  wish  I  bin  sassified  ter  stay  home  un'need  de  groun' 

286 


WHY  THE  GEOUXD-HOG  HAS  A  SHORT  TAIL 

dis  day !'  He  aiir  let  on,  dough,  an'  pres'n'y  he  mek  out 
ter  say,  'Gemmen — for  I  kin  see  you  is  sho'-'nuff  gemmen 
by  de  lookin's  uv  you — gemmen,  I  knows  3^'all  done  bin 
roun'  a  heap  an'  seed  a  lot,  but  I  boun'  you  dar's  one 
thing  you  ain'  seed  in  all  yo'  bawn  days.' 

"De  wolfs  jes'  howled  an'  laughed  wid  scawn  ter  think 
dar  waiz  anything  lef  dat  dey  ain'  seed.  'Wats  dat?' 
dey  ses ;  'name  dat  to  us,  ef  you  please.  Sump'n  dat  we- 
all  ain'  seed,  much  ez  we  bin  romantin'  up  an'  down  de 
worl' !     AYe  lak  ter  know  mighty  well  w'at  dat  kin  be.' 

"  'Well,  now  I  tell  you,'  sez  de  Groun'-hog,  sezee,  'I 
be  willin'  ter  bet  dese  yer  two  years  offen  my  haid  dat 
\vid  all  yo'  goin'  up  an'  down  an'  back  an'  fo'th  an'  to 
an'  fro,  none  er  you  has  uver  seed  a  groun'-hog  darnse ; 
is  5^ou  now?' 

"De  wolfs  dey  hunched  up  der  shoulders  at  one  nu'rr 
an'  dey  ses,  'Shucks !  dish  yer  plumb  reedikelous,  de  idee 
uv  a  groun'-hog  darnsin' ;  who  uver  yearn  er  de  likes  er 
dat?' 

"'Xemmine,'  sez  de  Groun'-hog,  'ef  y'all  doan  b'lieve 
me  I  kin  show  you ;  'twon't  teck  but  a  minnit ;  I'll  bof e 
sing  an'  darnse  fer  you,  an'  I  ain'  gwine  tas'e  any  de 
worse  fer  dat,  I  reckon.  I  boun'  you,  I  kin  gin  y'all 
some  'musement  an'  yit  eat  jes'  ez  good  den  ez  now. 
^Twon't  teck  long,  nohows.' 

"De  wolfs  dey  insulted  toge'rr  an'  'greed  ter  let  him 
try.  'Twon't  mount  ter  shucks,  nohow,'  dey  ses; 
'mought  ez  well  let  him  have  one  li'l  whu'l  bef 0'  we  swal- 
ler  him.' 

"Groun'-hog  he  ses,  'Gemmen,  I  gwine  play  you  fa'r, 
an'  ter  mek  sho'  dat  I  don'  git  'way  f'um  you,  you  kin 
mek  a  succle  er  yo'se'f s  an'  s'roun'  me  on  all  sides.' 

287 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

"So  cle  wolfs  dey  do  dat;  dej  mek  a  succle  all  roim' 
him  an'  gin  him  a  hig  range,  an'  squatted  dar  on  der 
ha'nches  wid  der  big  red  tongues  lollin'  outer  der  moufs 
an'  der  long  toofs  a-showin',  glarin'  at  him  wid  der  ol' 
green  eves.  Groun'-hog  he  'mence  ter  sing  lak  dis : 

'D  i-a-di-a-h  ey,  di-a-di-a-li  ey, 
Di-a-di-a,  di-a-di-a,  di-a-di-a-lieyf 

"At  de  same  time  he  darnse,  an'  uy  all  de  capers  you 
uver  seed,  dem  tuck  de  lead,  fer  ol'  man  Groun'-hog 
\YMz  darnsin'  fer  his  life,  lie  wuz.  He  kep'  flippin'  his 
paws  in  time  ter  de  music,  an'  he  wagged  dem  behime 
footses  so  fas'  dat  hit  look  lak  he  jes'  hangin'  in  de  air 
widout  no  laigs  twix'  him  an'  de  groun'.  All  ter  onct 
he'd  spin  clean  roun'  on  one  foot  an'  den  go  on  ag'in,  fas- 
ter dan  bef o'.  De  wolfs  dey  wuz  might'ly  'mused,  an'  dey 
jes'  clapped  der  ban's  an'  hollered  an'  mos'  fergit  dey 
wuz  gwine  eat  him,  but  I  boun'  you  Groun'-hog  lie  ain' 
fergit  hit. 

"Las'  he  gin  one  gre't  han'-spring  backwu'ds  an'  dis- 
appeart  lak  he  wuz  wipe  offen  de  face  er  de  yearf,  an' 
lef  de  wolfs  settin'  dar  on  der  ha'nches.  Dey  look  be- 
hime an'  dey  look  befo'  an'  dey  look  on  de  groun'  an' 
den  up  in  de  air,  ez  ef  dey  thought  mebbe  he  done  jump 
so  high  he  ain'  come  down  yit;  but  dey  ain'  see  Mistah 
Groun'-hog. 

"  ^Xow,  whar  you  s'pose  dat  triflin  creetur  gone  to  ?' 
dey  ses  ter  one  nu'rr.  Las'  one  uy  em'  whar  wuz  settin' 
up  hol'in'  a  piece  uy  a  tail  in  his  han'  he  say,  he  do, 
^Umph!  I  don'  s'pose,  I  liioivs.  Dat  sut'n'y  is  a  slick 
li'l  creetur.   We-all  ain'  notuss  dat  de  place  he  pick  out 

288 


s 


WHY  THE  GEOUXD-HOG  HAS  A  SHORT  TAIL 

fer  ter  darnse  in  wnz  mighty  nigli  ter  de  hole  whar  he 
live.  He  kep'  a-aidgin'  an'  a-aidgin'  nearer  an'  nearer, 
an'  ]as'  he  gin  one  spring,  an'  down  he  went.  I  wuz 
de  neares'  nv  any  an'  I  seed  him  goin'.  I  grabbed  him 
by  de  tail,  but  suz !  he  wuz  gwine  so  fas'  dat  nuttin'  cu'd 
stop  him,  an'  de  tail  jes'  natchelly  bruk  off  an'  lef  dish 
yer  piece  in  my  han'.' 

"  'Well,  cf  dat  don'  beat  bowser !'  sez  de  wolfs,  an' 
den  dey  laugh  ter  think  how  dat  li'l  creetur  done  fool 
'em,  ontwel  one  un  'em  clap  his  han'  on  his  stummick 
an'  'low  he  feel  mighty  empty,  an'  den  dey  all  laughed 
on  de  wrong  side  er  der  moufs,  'kase  dey  knowed  dey 
gotter  do  widout  dinner  dat  day. 

"Xow  dat's  de  reason  de  groun'-hogs  got  sech  shawt 
tails,  an'  Wi'yum  kin  go  an'  git  dat  one  whar  he  ketched 
an'  show  you  de  trufe  er  w'at  I  bin  tellin'  you.  You 
year  me,  Wi'yum  !  Don'  you  set  dar  lookin'  at  me,  suh  ! 
You  mosey  'long  out  ter  de  shed  an'  git  dat  groun'-hog 
dis  ve'y  minnit,  lessen  3'ou  wants  me  ter  come  dar  an' 
walk  up  an'  down  yo'  body  a  time  er  two !  Wi'yum  do 
lak  he  wuz  hung  on  henges  an'  de  henges  wuz  all  rusted 
out,  but  I  boun'  you  ef  I  wuz  ter  say  'supper'  ter  Wi'yum, 
he'd  move  right  lively." 


289 


MR.  HAEE,  MR.  WILDCAT  AKD  MR.  OTTER 


AYlien  the  gronnd-liog  had  been  duly  examined  and 
commented  on  the  children  hinted  that  they  were  ready 
for  another  story.  Annt  "Phrony  at  first  refused,  saying 
that  it  was  time  they  were  home  tucked  up  in  bed,  ready 
for  the  nightly  visit  of  the  Sand  Man.  When  they  in- 
sisted that  they  were  never  wider  awake  in  their  lives, 
she  said,  "Well,  mebbe  you  isn'  sleej^y,  but  mebbe  I  is. 
High  time  I  knocked  de  ashes  outen  dis  pipe  an'  hanged 
my  or  bones  up  on  de  baid."  But  finally  she  gave  in 
to  the  combined  persuasions  of  the  three  and  consented 
to  tell  the  storv  of  the  hare,  the  wild-cat  and  the  otter. 

"One  time,^'  she  began,  "ol'  Hyar'  he  wuz  squanderin' 
roun'  thu  de  woods  wid  a  pipe  stuck  in  his  mouf,  idlin' 
'way  de  time,  w'en  all  ter  onct  Mistah  Wil'cat  jump  out 
f'um  behime  a  big  tree  an'  yell,  ^Boo !'  at  him  an'  fetch 
a  grab  dat  all  but  ketch  him.  Hyar'  wuz  sho'-'nuff 
s'prised  dat  time,  but  he  gin  a  big  jump  ter  one  side 
an'  lan'ed  behime  a  tree  an'  stood  dar  ez  still  ez  a  mouse, 
sca'cely  drorin'  his  bref  in  an'  out,  not  dastin'  even 
ter  peek  so's'ter  see  ef  Wil'cat  wuz  still  dar.  He  got 
mighty  tired  an'  cramp'  up  befo'  long,  an'  sezee  ter  his- 
se'f,  Olussy  me !  w'at  oon  I  gin  jes'  ter  wall  my  eye 
roun'  dis  tree  an'  see  w'at  dat  mis'able  creetur  doin'.  I 
ain'  year  nair'  soun';  mebbe  he  gone  on.  Ef  he's  tired 
ez  w'at  I  is,  I  'spec'  he  done  gin  de  marter  up  an' 
moseyed  'long  ter  git  his  vittles  som'ers  else.' 

290 


ME.  HARE,  MPt.  WILDCAT  AXD  MR.  OTTER 

Wid  dat  he  stick  his  nose  out  ter  see  w'at  gwine  on, 
an'  dat  wiiz  'miff  f er  ol'  AVil'cat ;  he  jes'  gin  one  mon- 
st'ous  jump  an'  lan'ed  right  onter  de  Hyar',  an'  den  dar 
wan't  no  sech  thing  cz  gittin'  'way,  I  tell  you.  Xo  use 
ter  kick  an'  squall;  dem  claws  jes'  curled  derse'fs  right 


inter  him  an'  stuck  dar,  much  ez  ter  say,  'Yer  we  is,  suh, 
now  lessee  3'ou  onloose  yo'se'f .' 

'^Yil'cat  hoi'  him  up  in  front  uv  him  an'  talk  'wav 
at  him  lak  Hyar'  wuz  de  pris'ner  at  de  bar  an'  he  wuz 
de  jedge  an'  de  jury  an'  de  hull  co'te  th'owed  in,  an' 

291 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

ev'y  now  an'  clon  he  gin  him  a  shake  dat  mek  ev'y  toof  in 
his  haid  rattle  lak  de  seed  in  a  dry  go'de.  'Uh-huh !'  he 
say,  sezee,  '^I  bin  wantin'  ter  git  my  chiws  inter  you  dis 
long  time !  Meddle  in  nrr  f olkses  bizness,  will  you  ? 
Go  roun'  an'  hunt  ujd  mischief  an'  play  tricks  on  yo' 
betters,  will  you  ?  You  got  a  lot  er  gumption,  I  reckon ; 
dey  tells  me  you  has,  anyways;  but  dat  ain'  gwine  do 
a  man  much  good  w'en  his  time  comes;  no  pusson  so 
smart  dat  he  kin  keep  outen  de  sclutches  uv  ol'  man 
Def,  an'  dat's  right  whar  you  is  dis  ve'y  minnit,  I  tells 
you  dat  p'in'-blank,  an'  you'll  know  I  bin  tellin'  you 
de  trufe  w'en  I  'mence  ter  mek  minch-meat  uv  you, 
w'ich  is  gwine  be  did  dis  ve'y  minnit,  ef  not  sooner.' 

"Hyar'  he  feel  kind  er  pa'lyze  w'en  he  year  dat  sort  er 
talk,  but  pres'n'y  he  pick  hisse'f  toge'rr,  an'  sezee,  wid 
a  mighty  pleasin'  smile,  ^Mistali  AViFcat,  dish  yer  yo' 
innin's,  an'  I  reckon  you  gwine  do  w'at  you  please  wid 
me ;  I  ain'  gwine  'spute  dat,  but  I  ax  you  dis,  suh,  is  I 
a  fitten  dinner  fer  sech  as  vou?  Ain'  I  lean  ez  a  razor- 
back  hog  ?  Is  I  mo'n  one  good  moufful,  an'  sca'cely  dat  ? 
You  kain't  'ny  dat,  suh.  Xow  I  ax  you  ter  'member  de 
time  w'en  I  done  fill  you  up  chock-full  er  tukkey,  wid- 
out  3^ou  havin'  no  mo'  ter  do  dan  lay  still  an'  let  on 
you'se  'sleep  w'iles  I  toll  de  tukkies  up  to  you  wid  singin' 
an'  darnsin',  I  kin  do  dat  ag'in,  an'  better'n  dat.  Jes' 
name  yo'  game,  an'  I'se  de  man  whar  kin  git  hit  fer  you. 
Don'  be  too  modes',  suh ;  big  game  er  li'l  game,  hit's  all 
de  same  ter  me.'  * 

"Wil'cat  he  study  for  a  minnit  an'  den  he  say,  ^Well, 
I'd  lak  mighty  well  ter  git  me  a  tas'e  er  deer  meat  onct 
mo'.  So  long  sence  I  set  my  toofs  inter  a  piece  dat  I 
'clar'  I  mos'  fergit  how  hit  do  tas'e.  I  bin  livin'  on  shawt 

392 


MR.  HAEE,  MR.  WILDCAT  AXD  MR.  OTTER 

commons  dis  long  time,  an'  I'se  dat  hongr}^  I'se  nigh 
'stracted.  Ef  you  kin  git  me  some  deer  I  gwine  let  you 
off  dis  time ;  but  min'  you,  Mistah  Hyar',  no  tricks  'bout 
dis  er  I  frail  you  so  hard  you'll  wish  I'd  et  you  up 
'stidder  clawin'  you  inter  grape-vine  strings.  You  know 
me,  suh,  an'  you  knows  I  don'  stan'  no  triflin'.' 

"Dat's  all  right,  suh,  dat's  all  right,'  sez  Hyar', 
sezee,  ^jes'  you  come  'long  er  me  an'  I  show  you  dat  I'se 
a  man  er  my  wu'd.  We  gotter  go  down  ter  de  place  whar 
de  deers  come  ter  drink  an'  ter  eat  de  moss,  an'  dar  I 
gwine  show  you  w'at  I  kin  do,  ef  I  is  no  mo'n  a  li'l 
shawt-tail  runt ;  fer  dat's  w'at  I  year  some  er  de  folks 
bin  callin'  me.    Step  'long  dis  way,  suh,  ef  you  please.' 

"Dey  went  on  down  ter  de  branch  whar  de  deers  come 
ter  drink,  an'  Hyar'  he  say,  ^Xow,  ]\Iistah  Wil'cat,  jes' 
you  set  dar  in  de  bushes  an'  hide,  an'  I'll  crope  out  on 
dat  limb  whar  hang  over  de  water,  an'  w'en  de  deer 
comes  I'll  jes'  drap  spang  outer  his  back,  an'  w'en  he 
'mences  ter  r'ar  an'  splunge  an'  mek  fer  de  bank,  den's 
de  time  you  mus'  jump  out  an'  nab  him.'  All  de  time 
he  say  ter  hisse'f,  ^Yas,  lawd  I  an'  w'en  I  onct  git  outer 
dat  deer's  back  'tain'  gwine  teck  me  long  ter  jump  ter 
tu'rr  bank  an'  git  outer  yo'  way,  suh !' 

"Wil'cat  he  say,  ^All  right,  suh,  go  ahaid.  But  min' 
you,  f a'r  play,  now.  Xone  er  yo'  tricks  an'  traps  wid  me, 
er  I  gwine  come  a-rattlin'  an'  a-shattlin'  down  dar  an' 
jes'  natchelly  scrape  you  inter  fiddle-strings.' 

"So  Wil'cat  he  squat  down  in  de  bushes  nigh  de  bank 
an'  Hyar'  he  crope  out  on  de  limb,  an'  dey  waited  an' 
dey  waited  'twel  Wil'cat  wuz  fair'  frazzled.  Las',  yer 
come  a  deer  lopin'  down  ter  de  water,  an'  he  waded  right 
in  an'  drunk  his  fill  an'  den  stood  dar  dippin'  his  haid 

293 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

in  clean  up  ter  de  eyes,  lookin'  fer  moss  ter  eat.  Hyar' 
lie  'low  tor  hisse'f,  ^Um-humph !  yer  wliar  I  gwine  roust 
him  outer  dat  in  a  hurry.  Won'  he  wunner  w'ats  got 
him  all  uv  a  suddint  T 

"He  tucken  de  time  w'en  de  deer's  haid  wuz  un'need  de 
water  ter  drap  smack  outer  his  back.  Co'se  de  deer 
'menced  ter  ra'r  an'  splunge  an'  Hyar'  he  scrabbled  an' 
sclutched  ter  hoi'  on  long  'nufi  ter  jump  ter  tu'rr  bank, 
but  lawsy !  ol'  man  Deer  jes'  natchelly  shuk  him  off  inter 
de  water  an'  den  jumped  fer  tu'rr  bank  an'  made  off  in- 
ter de  woods. 

"Hyar'  he  ses  ter  hisse'f,  ^Now,  did  any  pusson  uver 
see  de  beat  er  dat  onf ren'ly  Deer ;  'gredge  me  a  li'l  f oot- 
hol'  on  his  back !  Ef  I  wuz  ez  bis:  ez  w'at  he  is  I  sut'n'v 
oon  be  ez  mean  an'  stingy  wid  my  back  ez  dat.' 

"He  'gun  ter  sink  'bout  den,  an'  he  see  dar  wan't 
nuttin'  fer  hit  but  ter  git  drownded,  so  he  sing  out  ter 
de  Wil'cat  fer  he'p,  but  shucks !  no  cat  's  gwine  git 
hits  paws  wet  ef  hit  kin  he'p,  so  he  jes'  turn,t  his  back 
an'  went  off  S23ittin'  an'  snarlin,  'kase  he  done  los'  his 
dinner. 

"  'Bout  den  'long  come  a  Otter  down  ter  de  bank,  an' 
Hyar'  he  call  out  fer  he'p.  He  say,  sezee,  ^Oh,  Mistah 
Otter,  he'p  me  outer  dish  yer  pickle  an'  I  gin  you  any- 
thing you  wants ;  'deed  I  will !' 

"  ^W'at  you  gimme  ?'  sez  de  Otter,  sezee. 

"  ^^Sho' !'  sez  ol'  Hyar',  spittin'  and  sputterin'  an' 
chokin',  ^has  I  gotter  drown  w'ile  I  mek  promusses? 
Git  me  outen  dis  an'  den  I  mek  any  promuss  you  ax  me 
to.  Ef  you  gwine  he'p  me,  man,  he'p  me  dis  ve'y  minnit 
er  hit  be  too  late  in  de  day,  an'  my  def  gwine  be  on  yo' 
haid.' 

294 


ME.  HARE,  MR.  WILDCAT  AXD  MR.  OTTER 

"So  Otter  he  swim  in,  'kase  he  wiiz  a  fus'-class  swim- 
mer, he  wuz,  an'  fished  ol'  man  Hvar'  out  an'  set  him 
on  de  bank  at  de  aidge  er  de  water.  Dar  he  sot  all  weak 
an'  trim'lin',  no  bigger  'n  a  han'ful,  but  he  wan't  so  fur 
gone  but  w'at  dar  wuz  plenty-  er  'havishness  lef  in  him 
yit,  an'  he  say  ter  Otter,  sezee,  Tlease,  suh,  ter  lemme 
run  up  de  bank  an'  shake  myse'f,  so's'ter  git  some  er  de 
water  outen  my  fur ;  'pears  lak  I  done  soaked  up  de  hull 
branch  an'  bringed  hit  out  wid  me.' 

"  ^W'y  sut'n'y,'  sez  de  Otter,  sezee,  ^I  knows  you  is  a 
Ian'  man ;  an'  co'se  you  ain'  useter  bein'  in  de  water,  co'se 
you  don'  fin'  hit  'greeable.  Jes'  g'long  an'  shake  hit 
outen  you,  an'  I'll  wait  fer  you  yer  on  de  bank.' 

"Wid  dat  Hyar'  went  kitin'  up  de  bank  an'  gin  his- 
se'f  a  good  shake  an'  den  lipt  inter  de  bushes  an'  wuz  off 
lak  a  house  afire.  ^Wait  fer  me  on  de  bank,  suh!'  he 
sung  out,  an'  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  ^Yas,  suh,  I  'spec'  you 
wait  fer  me  on  dat  bank  one  w'ile  'fo'  you  see  me  ag'in.' 

"  ^Umph !'  sez  Otter  ter  hisse'f,  ^umph !  promuss  me 
anything  I  want  an'  den  not  so  much  ez  stop  ter  mek 
his  manners !  'Pears  lak  't wan't  even  a  thanky  job,'  an' 
wid  'dat  he  went  on  'bout  his  wu'k  in  de  branch,  'kase  he 
wuz  mighty  busy  ketchin'  fish  fer  his  fambly,  fer  he  wuz 
a  gre't  fisherman  an'  a  pow'ful  swif  swimmer  an'  cu'd 
jes'  run  a  fish  down  in  no  time  't  all.  He  ketched  him 
two  fish  at  onct  an'  tuck  'em  in  his  mouf  an'  went  inter 
his  house,  w'ich  'twuz  a  deep  hole  in  de  bank.  But  dough 
he  kep'  on  'bout  his  bizness,  he  ain'  fergit  dat  trick  uv 
ol'  Hyar's,  an'  no  mo'  did  Mistah  Wil'cat,  an'  w'en  dey 
tell  tu'rr  creeturs  'bout  him  dey  all  git  mo'  riled  up 
'gins'  him  dan  befo',  an'  dey  ses,  '^^ow  ain'  dat  de  wus' 
trick  yit  ?    Done  fool  two  'spectable  gemmen  lak  Mistah 

295 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

WiFcat  an'  Mistali  Otter  at  one  an'  de  same  time. 
Done  prove  hisse'f  one  time  mo'  ez  slipp'y  an'  onreliable 
ez  a  eel;  mo'  chanct  er  missin'  him  dan  er  gittin'  him. 
]N"emmine,  ef  we  jes'  wait  long  'nuff  de  time  boun'  ter 
roll  roun'  w'en  we  gwine  git  de  unner-holt,  an'  den  we'll 
jes'  natchelly  wipe  up  de  yearf  wid  him  befo'  we  wipes 
him  clean  offen  de  face  er  creashun.' 

"An'  now/'  concluded  Aunt  'Phrony,  "y'all  chillen 
neenter  pester  me  no  mo'  dis  night,  'kase  my  ol'  breens 
is  so  wo'  out  wid  all  dish  yer  tryin'  ter  'member,  dat  ef 
you  wuz  ter  crowd  me  any  mo'  right  now  dey  mought 
crack  an'  let  all  de  tales  run  out.  Wi'yum,  quit  layin' 
yo'se'f  all  over  dat  flo',  same  ez  a  spraddle-bug,  an'  go 
an'  git  de  lantu'n  an'  light  dese  chillen  up  ter  de  house. 
You  year  me,  suh  V 


296 


MR.   HARE   AXD   MR.   ELEPHAXT 


One  day  Aunt  Xancy  was  making  little  Kit's  toilet, 
trying  her  best  to  wash  his  neck  and  ears  while  he  fidget- 
ed and  dodged  and  stood  first  on  one  foot  and  then  on 
the  other,  and  declared,  after  the  manner  of  small  boys, 
that  he  was  not  dirty,  and  if  he  was,  he  preferred  being 
so. 

^^Vell,  ef  uver  I  'sjDCcted  ter  year  a  cliil'  er  my  young 
Miss'  talkin'  dat  scannelous !"  she  exclaimed.  "Any- 
b'dy  mought  think  'twuz  one'r  dem  Thompson  chillen, 
on'y  I  nuver  knowed  'em  ter  talk  so  much  lak  po'  white- 
trash.  Who  uver  year  er  de  qual'ty  gwine  roun'  wid 
dirty  3'ears  ?  Hit  'min's  me  er  de  time  w'en  Mistah  Ef a- 
lent  oon  wash  his  years.  Sho !  you  kin  stan'  still  ter 
lissen  at  tales,  kin  you?  Well,  now,  you  jes'  hoi'  right 
still,  lak  a  good  li'l  boy,  an'  lemme  git  inside  dis  urr  year, 
an'  I  tell  you  de  tale  w'iles  I  go  'long." 

Here  she  commenced  a  not  too  gentle  attack  upon  the 
other  ear,  holding  him  firmly  by  the  burning  member 
already  cleansed,  as  she  told  the  story  of  the  careless  Mr. 
Elephant,  while  Janey  and  Xed  listened  with  a  less 
chastened  enjoyment  than  that  of  the  little  boy  who  was 
having  his  ears  scrubbed. 

"One  time,"  she  said,  "dar  wuz  gwine  be  a  big  meetin' 
'mongs'  de  creeturs,  an'  Mistah  Efalent  he  so  anxious 
ter  git  dar  on  time  dat  he  plumb  fergit  ter  wash  his  years. 

297 


AT    THE    BIG    IIOrSE 

Mis'  Efalent  she  wuz  a  miglity  p'ticklcr  ol'  lady,  an' 
slie  call  out  atter  him  an'  tell  him  1)out  hit.  She  say : 
'^Gracious  ter  goodness !  Mistah  Efalent,  'tain'  poss'ble 
you  gwine  'mongs'  all  dem  pryin',  peerin'  creeturs  wid 
dem  dirty  years  ?  Fer  de  sake  er  yo'  f anibly,  come  back 
jer  an'  fix  yo'se'f  nice  an'  proper.'  Efalent  he  let  on 
he  ain'  year  her,  jes'  lak  mens  does  sometimes  w'en  der 
wifes  is  talkin'  at  'em,  an'  'twan't  mo'n  tlfee  winks  befo' 
he  wuz  outer  sight  an'  yearin'. 

"Bout  dat  same  time  Hyar'  he  wuz  primpin'  hisse'f 
up  fer  de  meetin',  'kase  he  wuz  mighty  kyareful  'bout 
iixin'  hisse'f  up  nice  an'  clean.  He  washed  his  face  wid 
his  paw  an'  licked  his  fur  down  an'  den  got  ol'  Mis' 
Molly  Hyar'  ter  wash  his  years  husse'f,  an'  all  roun' 
behime  'em,  so's't  de  folks  whar  set  behime  him  in  de 
meetin'  kain't  excuse  him  er  not  bein'  neat.  Den  he  had 
some  notion  er  lettin'  on  dat  he  wuz  single  an'  flyin' 
roun'  'mongs'  de  gals  a  li'l,  so  co'se  he  wanter  look 
mighty  spruce.  Las'  he  start  off  an'  git  down  ter  de 
river  'bout  de  time  Mistah  Efalent  git  dar. 

"He  bin  wunnerin'  ter  hisse'f  how  in  de  name  er 
goodness  he  gwine  git  over  de  river,  an'  w'en  he  see  de 
Efalent  he  sav  ter  hisse'f.  he  do :  '^I  sut'n'v  is  de  e^re'tes' 
man  fer  luck  dat  uver  hopped  on  fo'  laigs.  Dish  yer 
whar  I  gwine  git  'cross  widout  even  so  much  ez  gittin' 
a  paw  wet.'  Wid  dat  he  walked  up  ter  de  Efalent  an' 
'menced  muchin'  him.  '^Howdy,  Mistah  Efalent,'  sezee, 
'I  hope  I  fin's  you  well  an'  in  de  enj'yment  er  good 
healt'.  You  so  gre't  an'  gran',  suh,  dat  I  reckon  w'en 
you  does  git  a  mis'ry  hit  boun'  ter  be  a  pow'ful  big  one.' 

"  'Wat's  dis  a-talkin'  at  me  ?'  sez  de  Efalent,  sezee, 
an'   he   look   all   roun'  fur   an'  near   an'   las'  he  seed 

298 


ME.    HARE    AXD    ME.    ELEPHAXT 

Hyar'  settin^  down  mos'  imner  his  front  footses  an'  cut- 
tin'  one  eye  up  at  him,  sassy  ez  yon  please.  To'  gra- 
cious !'  sezee,  "^look  out  dar  I  li'l  mo'n  I'd  a-tromped  on 
you,  sho'  I    Wlio  is  you,  anyhows?' 

"Den  Hyar'  he  'mence  ter  'splain  hisse'f  an'  tell  whar 
he  wuz  gwine  an'  haig  Mistah  Efalent  ter  tote  him 
'cross  de  river.  Hit  sut'n'v  wuz  a  siofht  ter  mek  you 
laugh,  dey  tells  me,  ter  see  dat  li'l  feller  settin'  up  dar 
on  his  ha'nches,  haid  th'owed  1)ack  so't  he  cu'd  look 
Efalent  in  de  eye,  an'  tongue  goin'  same'z  a  mill-clap- 
per. 01'  Efalent  stood  dar  squintin'  down  at  him  an' 
lis'nin'  at  him,  w'ile  hofe  gre't  hig  years  went  flippitty- 
flap,  fiippitty-flap,  an'  his  trunk  wuz  jes'  a-wavin'  an' 
a-weavin'  an'  a-curlin'  roun'  thu  de  air. 

"Las'  Hyar'  he  stop  'long  'nuff  ter  git  href,  an' 
Efalent  he  say,  sezee,  '^Shucks !  man,  I  kain't  stop  to  tote 
YOU  over  de  river ;  I  must  be  at  de  meetin'  on  time.' 

"  Tawsy !'  Hyar'  'low,  ^'tain'  gwine  teck  you  long  ter 
tote  a  li'l  feller  lak  me.' 

"Dat  mek  Mistah  Efalent  laugh  an'  he  say,  sezee, 
^How  sech  a  li"l  feller  ez  vou  gwine  stick  on  my  back?' 

"  '^Oh,  nemmine,'  sezee ;  ^I  tell  you  de  way  we  kin  tix 
hit.  Jes'  you  teck  an'  putt  me  inside  er  one'r  yo'  years 
an'  let  de  flap  down  over  me  ter  keep  me  in,  an'  I  boun' 
3'ou,  I  go  over  safe  an'  soun'.' 

"  ^All  right,'  sez  de  Efalent,  sezee,  an'  he  tuck  an' 
tuck  his  trunk  an'  wrop  hit  roun'  Hyar'  an'  gin  him  a 
whu'l  thu  de  air  dat  tucken  his  bref  clean  'way,  an'  he 
lan'ed  him  in  de  year  an'  shet  de  flap  down  on  him. 
Den  he  splunge  inter  de  river  an'  'mence  ter  cross  over. 

"Co'se  Hvar'  ain'  bin  in  de  year  lonsr  'twel  he  'sfun 
ter  study  w'at  mischief  ter  git  inter.     He  'mence  ter 

299 


AT    THE    BICt   house 

fidget  roim'  an'  wu'k  his  nose  hard  an'  sniff  lak  he 
smell  siimp'n  pow'ful  bad. 

"  ^Wa't's  de  marter  wid  you  ?'  sez  de  Efalent,  sezee. 

"Hyar'  he  'spon',  ^Oh,  nuttin'  't  all,  Mistah  Ef alent ; 
don'  you  min'  me,  suh ;  jes'  go  right  'long.' 

"Pres'n'y  he  go  at  hit  ag'in,  jes'  snifhn'  an'  kyar'yin' 
on.  ^IJm-m-m-umph  !  umph  !  umph  ! !  umph  ! ! !'  sezee, 
hol'in'  his  nose  lak  he  kain't  stan'  ter  keep  hit  open. 

"  *^Gre't  king !'  sez  de  Efalent,  Vat  is  de  marter  wid 
de  li'l  cuss,  anyhows  ?' 

"  '^Don'  pay  no  'tention  ter  me,  suh,'  Hyar'  say.  'I 
has  de  as'my  an'  dat  mek  me  breave  hard ;  soun'  mighty 
loud,  'kase  I'se  right  inside  yo'  year.' 

"Well^  suh,  he  kep'  hit  up  dat-a-way  on  de  trip  over, 
an'  Ven  dey  git  ter  tu'rr  side  he  watch  his  chanct  w'en 
Mistah  Ef  alent  flip  his  year  up  an'  den  he  jes'  lit  down 
same'z  he  bin  made  er  injy-rubber  an'  tuck  up  de  bank 
an'  inter  de  bresh  'fo'  Efalent  miss  him  outen  de  year. 
He  curl  his  trunk  roun'  an'  feel  fer  him,  but  he  kain't 
fin'  him.  Den  he  think  mebbe  he  done  fergot  w'ich 
year  he  putt  him  in,  an'  so  he  feel  in  tu'rr  one.  Naw, 
suh,  he  wan't  in  tu'rr  one,  neener.  ^Well,  ef  dis  don' 
beat  my  time !'  sezee ;  ^I  sut'n'y  putt  dat  owdacious 
creetur  in  my  year.  'Tain'  poss'bl'  dat  I  cu'd  go  an' 
dream  sech  ez  dat,'  an'  he  stan'  dar  jes'  a-huffin'  an' 
a-puffin'. 

"Hyar'  he  bin  watchin'  him  an'  he  tuck  de  'casion 
ter  stick  his  haid  outer  de  bresh  an'  say:  To  be  sho' 
you  wan't  dreamin',  Mistah  Efalent;  I  wuz  in  yo'  year, 
sho'  'nuff,  an'  a  mighty  bad  time  I  have  uv  hit  in  dar. 
You  axed  me,  suh,  w'at  wuz  de  marter,  an'  now  T  gwine 
tell  you,  dough  I'se  saw'y  ef  I  seem  onmannerly  atter 

300 


"  'tain'    POSs'bl'    DAT    I    CU'd    GO    AX'    DREAM 


i 


MR.    HARE    AXD    MR.    ELEPHAXT 

you  teckin'  me  'cross ;  but  I'se  'bleeged  ter  sa}^,  sub,  dat 
you  done  f ergot  ter  wash  yo'  years  dis  mawnin',  dat 
you  has,  an'  I  'clar'  ter  goodness  hit  mek  me  feel  plumb 
faintyfied  in  dar  w'en  you  shet  dat  flap  down  on  me; 
'deed  hit  did.  Xex^  time  you  teck  anvb'dv  in  yo'  year, 
better  see  dat  hit's  clean.  So-long,  suh;  so-long.'  An' 
wid  dat  he  shuk  one'r  his  behime  footses  at  de  Efalent 
f'um  roun'  de  cornder  uy  a  tree  an'  wuz  off  in  a  jiff, 
leavin'  dat  gre't  big  creetur  stannin'  dar  jes'  a-trim'lin' 
an'  a-stompin'  an'  a-foamin'  an'  a-snortin'  an'  tearin' 
up  trees  by  de  roots,  but  'tain'  do  him  no  good,  fer 
Hyar'  wuz  outer  sight  by  dat  time,  fur  on  his  way  ter 
de  meetin'. 

"An'  now,"  finished  Aunt  Xancy,  as  she  gaYe  a  last 
twist  to  one  of  Kit's  long,  yellow  curls,  "dat  shows  y'all 
w'at  happen  ter  folks  whar  ain'  'tickler  'bout  keepin' 
der  years  clean.  Dey  think  no  pusson  gwine  notuss, 
but  someb'dY  sho'  ter  fin'  hit  out  an'  mek  fun  uy  'em 
an'  hoi'  'em  up  fer  a  disgrace  ter  der  fambly  an'  de 
qual'ty  in  gin'l." 

Here  she  carefully  threw  the  combings  that  had  ac- 
cumulated in  the  making  of  the  little  boy's  toilet  into 
the  fire,  explaining  that  if  they  were  thrown  away  and 
not  burned,  the  birds  might  find  them  and  use  them  in 
nest-building,  in  which  case  the  person  from  whose  head 
the  hair  came  would  be  sure  to  go  crazy ;  nothing  could 
aYert  the  fate. 


301 


THE  TOAD  AXD  THE  TERRAPIN" 

"When  Aunt  N"anc\^  had  finished  curling  the  small 
boy's  hair,  he  insisted  that  she  owed  him  another  story, 
because  she  had  not  only  hurt  his  ears,  but  had  given 
his  hair  an  unlucky  pull.  She  objected  at  first,  saying 
that  she  had  other  fish  to  fry  and  must  go  along  about 
her  work.  At  last  she  relented  so  far  as  to  sav  that 
she  would  tell  one  if  she  could  only  think  of  something 
new.  "I  done  tol'  you  so  many  tales/^  she  said,  "dat  I 
done  used  all  de  creeturs  up,  runned  'em  plumb  inter 
de  groun'." 

"I  know  one  you  haven't  told  us  about  for  a  long 
time,"  said  Janey,  "and  that's  the  Toad-frog;  you  told 
us  a  story  about  him  a  long  time  ago  and  I  liked  it. 
It  was  all  about  the  Hopper-grass  and  the  Chicken- 
rooster." 

Aunt  Xancy  felt  flattered  that  her  story  should  have 
made  such  a  lasting  impression,  and  it  seemed  to  have 
a  happy  effect  upon  her  memory,  for  she  said  at  once 
that  she  believed  she  did  recollect  another  story  in 
which  the  Toad  figured,  along  with  the  Terrapin. 

"Hit  wuz  'long  in  strawba'y-time/'  she  commenced, 
"an'  Toad-frog  he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  jes'  natchelly 
'bleeged  ter  have  him  a  mess  er  ba'ies,  'kase  he  ain'  had 
none  dat  'ear,  an'  he  wuz  'tickler  fond  uv  'em." 

Here  Xed  interrupted  to  say,  "Ho !  Aunt  Nancy,  who 
ever  heard  of  a  toad  eating  strawberries  ?" 

302 


THE    TOAD    AXD    THE    TEEEAPIX 


«:^ 


"Well,  dey  does,  den/'  said  the  story  teller,  indig- 
nantly; "I  done  seed  'em  at  hit  wid  my  own  eyes;  an' 
snakes  does,  too ;  dey  is  bofe  mighty  fond  nv  'em.  You 
neenter  think  folks  is  de  on'ies  ones  whar  knows  a 
good  thing  w'en  dey  sees  hit.  Does  you  s'pose  de  Lawd 
mek  de  good  things  jes'  fer  people  an'  don'  want  de 
creeturs  ter  git  der  sheer?  Xaw,  suh,  He  want  'em  ter 
go  sheers;  but  folks  done  got  so  mean  dat  dey  calls  hit 
stealin'  w'en  de  bu'ds  an'  de  bees  an'  de  wast-es  comes 
after  de  grapes  an'  de  churries  an'  de  ba'ies  an'  sech 
ez  dat. 

"AYell,  I  done  tol'  you  strawba'ies  wuz  ripe  an'  Toad- 
frog  wuz  jes'  a-honin"  fer  some.  He  wuz  gwine  hoppin' 
down  de  road,  singin'  dis  oF  song  ter  hisse'f : 

'^Da?'  li'iiz  a  mouse  live'  in  a  house, 

Wid  a  rinhtum  hodcly  middy  himo, 
Dar  wuz  a  frog  live  in  a  well, 

^yid  a  rink  turn  hoddy  middy  l-imo. 
An'  ef  lie  ain   gone  lie  live  dar  still, 

Wid  a  rinl'tum  hoddy  middy  kimo. 
Kimo-narrow,  delto-sliarrow, 

Rinktum  hoddy  middy  kimo. 
String-strong  pommy-doodle  ally-mody  ding- 
dong, 

Rinktum  hoddy  middy  kimo' 

"Jes'  ez  he  git  dat  fur  along  wid  de  song  who  shu'd 
he  met  up  wid  but  ol'  Mis'  Tarry-long  Tarr'pin.  Xow 
she  wuz  mighty  fond  er  strawba'ies  husse'f,  an'  she 
knowed  whar  dar  wuz  a  baid  er  nice,  big  ripe  ones,  an' 
she  wuz  right  on  her  way  to  'em  den.     Mos'  in  gin'l 

303 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

she  wuz  a  turr'br  slow  trabeler,  but  dish  yer  mawnin' 
she  wuz  gwine  'long  right  peartly.  Wen  Toad-frog  seed 
dat,  he  'spicioned  sump'n  wuz  up,  an'  he  say  ter  hisse'f, 
he  say :  '^Humph !  oV  Mis'  Tarr'pin  sho'  has  got  a 
move  on  husse'f  dis  mawnin'.  Now,  w'at  is  de  meanin' 
er  dat?  Lemme  see,  she  got  a  mighty  good  likin'  fer 
strawba'ies,  an'  I  boun'  you  she's  right  on  her  way  to 
'em  dis  minnit,  ef  de  trufe  wuz  knowed.  De  ol'  lady 
got  lots  er  gumption,  an'  I  reckon  she  know  jes'  whar 
dey're  a-growin'.  I  gwine  tackle  her  an'  see  ef  I  kain't 
git  ter  go  'long.' 

"Wid  dat  he  hop  up  'long  side  er  Mis'  Tarr'pin  an' 
he  say,  sezee:  ^Heyo !  Mis'  Tarry-long,  I  ain'  need  ter 
ax  you,  how  is  you?  you  gwine  'long  yer  so  gaily  I 
sca'cely  knowed  you.  I  wanter  ax  you,  ma'am,  kin  you 
tell  me  whar  dey  is  any  strawba'ies?  I  ain'  had  nair' 
one  dis  'ear,  an'  my  appentite  gittin'  so  deliken  dat  I 
needs  sump'n  lak  dat  ter  putt  me  in  de  notion  er  eatin' 
ag'in.  You  sech  a  smart  lady  dat  I  'lowed  you'd  know 
whar  dey  wuz  some,  ef  anyb'dy  did.' 

"Mis'  Tarr'pin  she  wan't  gwine  gin  her  sekert  away, 
so  she  let  on  she  dunno  nuttin'  'bout  'em  an'  ain'  kyarin' 
fer  'em,  anyhows.  ^Sho  !  man,  g'way  f 'um  yer,'  she  say ; 
Vat  you  reckon  I  know  'bout  strawba'ies?  I  nuver 
eats  'em ;  I  ain'  got  no  mouf  fer  'em.' 

"Toad-frog  seed  he  wan't  gwine  git  nuttin'  outen  her 
dat-a-way,  so  he  jes'  mek  up  his  min'  ter  co'te  her  a 
li'l  an'  see  ef  dat  oon  wu'k.  ^A  li'l  co'tin'  sometimes  go 
a  long  ways  wid  a  gal,'  sezee  ter  hisse'f ;  *jes'  a  few  li'l 
honey-wu'ds  an'  dar  dey  is.' 

"He  'mence  bein'  mighty  flattersome  to  her  an' 
talkin'  all  sorts  er  sweet  talk,  lak  men  does  w'en  dey's 

304 


THE    TOAD    AXD    THE    TERRAPIX 

co'tin',  doiigli  de}^  mos'  alluz  'ny  hit,  out  an'  out,  atter- 
wu'ds.    Las'  he  up  an'  ax  her  ain'  she  wanter  git  ma'ied. 

"She  'low,  '^Xaw,  suh,  dat  I  don';  not  ter  no  sech  li'l 
junipin'  thing  cz  w'at  you  is.' 

"Toad-frog  laugh  fit  ter  kill  hisse'f,  an'  he  say,  sezee : 
'G'long  wid  you,  gal,  I  ain'  ax'  you  ter  have  me ;  I 
axed  you  does  you  "\A*anter  git  ma'ied,  jes'  in  fun,  ter 
see  w'at  you  gwine  say.  I  ain'  axin'  none  er  de  gals  dese 
days;  'souse  me,  ef  you  please.  Dis  de  time  w'en  you 
done  hollered  befo'  you  wuz  hurted.' 

"Dat  mek  Mis'  Tarr'pin  mad,  an'  she  say:  *Hysh, 
man !  g'long  'way  f 'um  yer ;  I  done  had  'nuff  er  yo' 
imp'ence.  Wat's  mo',  I  gwine  tell  ev'y  pusson  I  knows 
dat  you  done  ax  me  ter  ma'y  you  an'  I  oon  have  you. 
You  s'pose  any  er  de  gals  gwine  look  at  you  w'en  I  tell 
'em  dat  ?  Xaw,  suh.  W'en  I  p'int  you  out  an'  snicker 
an'  snort  an'  say :  "Look  yonner,  gals !  Yonner  goes 
my  leavin's." ' 

"  ^Yas'm,  dat  dey  is,'  sezee ;  '^men-folks  ain'  so  plenty 
dat  gals  kin  give  dersefs  too  many  extry  airs.  Sidesen 
dat,  I  kin  tell  mv  side  uv  hit :  how  vou  done  mistooken 
a  joke  fer  a  sho'-'nuff  axin';  an'  den  whar'll  you  be. 
Mis'  Tarry-long  ?' 

"At  dat  she  turn  her  back  on  him  an'  walk  off.  Toad- 
frog  he  ain'  say  nuttin'  mo',  'scusin'  ter  tell  'er  ^so-long.' 
Den  he  mek  out  lak  he  gwine  hop  off  tu'rr  way,  but, 
bless  yo'  soul,  no  sooner  wuz  her  back  good  an'  turnt 
dan  yer  come  Toad-frog,  w'ich  his  tu'rr  name  wuz 
Jimmy  Jump-er-long,  an'  gin  a  li'l  jump  an'  dar  he 
wuz,  settin'  up  on  her  back,  ridin'  'long  jes'  ez  cool  ez 
a  cowcumber,  an'  ol'  ]\Iis'  Tarr'pin  nuver  even  .'spicion 
he  wuz  dar,  'kase  her  back  so  hard  she  kain't  feel  him. 

305 


AT    THE    Bia   HOUSE 


«i 


'Dey  went  long  dat-a-way,  Toad-frog  perched  up 
dar  ciittin'  all  sorts  er  shines^  doin'  lak  lie  wuz  clickin' 
his  mouf  at  a  hoss,  widout  mekin'  no  sonn'^  an'  stannin' 
on  one  foot,  wid  tu'rr  laig  stuck  up  behime  in  de  air, 
fer  all  de  wor?  lak  dem  bar'back  riders  at  de  succus. 

"Las'  Mis'  Tarr'pin  she  stop,  an'  de  place  whar  she 
done  turn  inter  wuz  nuttin'  mo'  ner  less  dan  a  straw- 
ba'y-patch.  Toad-frog  hopped  down,  an'  sezee,  ^Kreech ! 
kreech !  kreech !  I'se  ma'ied  a'raidy,  so  how  cu'd  I  ax 
you  ter  ma'y  me  ?    Tell  me  dat,  ma'am.' 

"Mis'  Tarr'pin  sut'n'y  wuz  s'prise'  w'en  she  see  dat 
creetur  hop  down  f'um  her  back.  She  say:  ^Name  er 
common  sense,  how  you  git  on  my  back,  you  owdacious 
vir3^un?  Ma'ied  a'raidy,  is  you?  Well,  I  sut'n'y  is 
saw'y  fer  de  ooman.  Who  is  she,  anyways  ?  I  ain'  nuver 
vear  tell  uv  her.' 

ft/ 

"  ^Kreech !  kreech !  kreech !'  sez  de  Toad-frog,  sezee. 
^  'Tain'  no  ooman  't  all.  I'se  wedded  ter  dese  yer  ba'ies ; 
dey  is  my  fus'  an'  my  las'  an'  my  on'ies  love,'  an'  wid  dat 
he  fall  ter  eatin'  hard'z  he  kin  swoller. 

"Mis'  Tarry-long  Tarr'pin  she  say  ter  herse'f,  she  say : 
*T'm  er  min'  ter  gin  'im  one  good  bite  dat  he  kain't  fer- 
git  in  a  hurry,  but  I  'clar'  ter  gracious,  I'se  dat  disguss'id 
dat  I  ain'  gwine  sile  my  mouf  wid  him.  Nemmine, 
Mistah  Jimmy  Jump-er-long,  you  stuffin'  yo'se'f  full  er 
my  ba'ies  an'  you  feel  mighty  smart  over  hit,  but  some  er 
dese  days  I  gwine  mek  you  smart  on  tu'rr  side  yo'  mouf.' 
Wid  dat  she  walk  off  an'  leave  him  eatin',  an'  'twuz 
good  thing  fer  him  she  did,  'kase,  I  tell  you,  she  wuz  a 
nipper ;  an'  ef  she'd  a-bit  him  he  oon  bin  able  ter  fergit 
hit  in  a  mont'  er  Sundays. 


>y 


306 


a: 

K 


O 


THE    TOAD    AXD    THE    TEEEAPIX 

"Aunt  Xancy,"  said  Janey,  "what  did  the  toad  mean 
when  he  said  ^kreech  I  kreech  !  kreech'  ?" 

"Oh,  dat  \iz  jes'  his  way  er  talkin',"  said  the  old 
woman. 

"I  never  knew  toads  made  any  sound  at  all,"  said  the 
little  girl. 

"Oh,  yas,  dey  does ;  hit's  jes'  lak  I  tells  you :  ^kreech ! 
kreeeh  I  kreech  V  sump'n  'twix'  de  chu'ppin'  uv  a  bu'd 
an'  de  skreekin"  uv  a  mouse.  Many's  de  time  I  bin 
down  cellar  an'  think  I  3'ear  a  mouse  skreekin'  an'  git 
all  skeert  an'  flutterated,  an'  yer  all  time  'twuz  nuttin' 
but  a  li'l  toad-frog  whar  wuz  tryin'  ter  git  outen  my 
way." 


307 


ii 


THE  MOCKING-BIED  AND  THE  DRY-FLY 


One  crisp  day  in  late  October  Aunt  Nancy  elected  to 
go  to  mill/'  To  this  end  she  borrowed  the  plantation 
cart  and  the  plantation  mule^  old  Dick,  known  to  Aunt 
Nancy  as  "Dick-mule."  The  children  were  invited  to 
go  along  and  joyfully  accepted  the  invitation,  for  cart 
riding  was  an  entirely  novel  experience  to  them.  Ned 
sat  on  the  seat  with  Aunt  Nancy  and  was  allowed  the 
privilege  of  handling  the  whip ;  no  easy  task  indeed,  for 
Dick  was  a  slow  traveler  and  needed  much  urging, 
seeming  to  lose  himself  entirely,  every  now  and  then,  in 
little  naps  by  the  way,  from  which  he  awoke  with  a 
start  as  Ned  applied  the  whip.  In  fact,  the  little  boy's 
arms  ached  before  long  and  he  gave  relief  to  his  exas- 
peration by  breaking  into  doggerel  to  this  effect: 

''Oh  Dich,  Dich, 
You  make  me  sich! 
You  better  he  quick 
Or  ril  ticMe  your  hack  with  this  hickory  stick. 


)> 


But  even  this  effusion,  punctuated  by  blows  from  the 
whip,  had  no  effect  on  Dick ;  he  was  too  old  a  stager  for 
that,  and  he  calmly  went  on  his  way,  giving  no  sign  that 
he  was  aw^are  anything  else  was  expected  of  him. 
Dick  was  a  well-known  plantation  character,  a  privi- 

308 


THE  MOCKIXG-BIRD  AXD  THE  DRY-FLY 

leged  one  at  that^  whose  ways  were  familiar  to  Aunt 
XancY ;  so  she  finally  said :  ^Mars'  Ned,  you  mought  ez 
well  putt  down  dat  hickory;  tain'  no  use.  Dick-mule 
gwine  jes'  de  way  he  wanster;  you  kain't  hurry  him; 
3'OU  jes'  was'e  yo'  bref  an'  yo'  strenk.  He  nuver  'spec's  ter 
do  w'at  folks  want  him  to ;  dat  ain'  mule  manners.  But 
mebbe  you'll  see  him  humpin'  hisse'f  on  de  way  home, 
ef  he  gits  strucken  wid  dat  notion  an'  thinks  you  done 
gin  up  de  hope  er  mekin'  him  go."  So  Xed  ceased  to 
ply  the  hickory  and  presently  gave  up  his  high  perch 
by  Aunt  Xancy  to  sit  with  the  other  children  on  the 
straw  at  the  bottom  of  the  cart,  whose  motions,  though 
jerky  in  the  extreme,  had  for  them  the  unfailing  charm 
of  novelty.  The  road  wound  for  miles  beneath  the  tall 
pines,  down,  down  into  the  depths  of  the  woods,  where 
it  brought  up  by  a  deep,  dark,  still  pond,  whose  exist- 
ence was  unguessed  until  you  came  full  upon  it.  Here 
was  the  mill  to  which  all  the  corn  for  miles  around  was 
brought  for  grinding,  a  very  primitive  affair  indeed, 
whose  counterpart  is  yet  to  be  found  in  some  of  the  rural 
districts  of  the  South.  The  water  that  furnished  the 
motive  power  was  conducted  from  a  higher  level,  for  at 
least  a  hundred  yards,  in  a  narrow  wooden  trough  in 
which  were  several  rude  combs  to  catch  obstructions,  to 
a  tall  flume  down  which  it  fell  on  the  wheel.  The  ma- 
chinery was  of  the  rudest,  in  keeping  with  all  the  rest. 
The  miller  was  given  no  fee  in  money,  but  received,  in- 
stead, a  certain  portion  or  ^^toll"  of  the  grain  ground. 
This  he  measured  out  in  a  wooden  measure  which  was 
known  as  the  "toll-dish."  Rude  and  simple  as  the 
machinery  is,  the  corn-meal  turned  out  from  these 
primitive    mills    produces    bread    of    a    sweetness    and 

309 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

freshness  of  flavor  unknown  elsewhere,  one  secret  of 
which  is,  no  doubt,  that  families  prefer  having  the 
grinding  done  in  small  quantities  so  that  the  meal  may 
alwavs  be  fresh. 

After  the  children  had  examined  the  mill  and  made 
the  miller's  acquaintance  and  eaten  the  luncheon 
brought  with  them,  they  settled  down  to  wait  for  the 
grinding  of  Aunt  N'ancy's  meal,  for  several  people  had 
arrived  before  her  and  she  was  obliged  to  await  her  turn. 
Meanwhile  she  offered  to  beguile  the  time  by  telling  the 
little  folks  a  story. 

"Hit's  'bout  de  Mockih'-bu'd  an'  de  Drv-flv,"  she 
began.  "One  summer  Mistah  Mockin-bu'd  jes'  mo'n 
bin  havin'  a  good  time.  He  set  out  in  de  woods  an' 
sing  an'  holler  an'  whustle  an'  go  lak  de  cat-bu*d  an' 
de  jay  an'  ev'y  urr  kind  er  bu'd,  an'  he  fool  'em  all ;  dey 
s'posen  'twuz  der  mates  callin'  'em,  an'  yer  dey  come 
a-flyin';  an',  bless  goodness,  'twan't  nuttin'  but  ol' 
Mockin'-bu'd  jes'  a-settin'  up  dar  laughin'  at  'em. 
Sometimes  he'd  go  lak  a  hull  nes'ful  er  young  bu'ds 
w'en  sump'n  done  got  atter  'em,  an'  den  de  ol'  bu'ds 
'ud  come  a-twitterin'  an'  a-fussin',  skeert  outer  der  wits, 
an'  lo,  beholst  you,  'twan't  nuttin'  but  him  ag'in.  Tu'rr 
bu'ds  git  clean  wo'  out  wid  him  an'  dey  ses  ter  one  nu'rr, 
^Xemmine,  dat  ol'  bag-er-shucks  gwine  git  his  come- 
uppance yit,  you  see  ef  he  don' ;  ef  'tain'  one  way  hit'll 
be  anu'rr;  you  min'  dat,  now.' 

"Nex',  he  pick  hisse'f  up  an'  fly  off  to'des  de  white 
folkses'  house  an'  perch  hisse'f  up  on  a  tree  in  de  yard. 
Fus'  he'd  go  lak  a  dog,  an'  de  cat  she'd  hump  her  back 
an'  climb  up  on  de  smoke-house  ter  git  'way  f'um  de 
dogs;  an'  den  he'd  go  lak  a  li'l  young  kitten  cryin', 

310 


THE  MOCKIXG-BIRD  AXD  THE  DRY-FLY 

an'  de  cat  she'd  skite  down  offen  de  roof  to  her  kitten. 
Den  he'd  go  lak  a  dog  ag'in  an'  she'd  mek  fer  de  roof 
onct  mo'.  He  kep'  dat  up  *twel  he  got  her  fair' 
'stracted,  but  las'  hit  come  inter  her  min'  jes'  ter  teck 
de  kitten  in  her  mouf  an'  climb  up  on  de  roof  wid  hit. 
Mockin'-bu'd  he  see  he  kain't  pester  lier  no  mo',  so  he 
'mence  ter  cry  lak  a  li"l  chickin  wid  a  hawk  atter  hit, 
an'  ver  come  Mis'  Hen  wid  her  fedders  all  ruffled  and 
her  wings  spread  out,  an'  yer  come  de  white  folks  wid 
a  gun  ter  shoot  de  hawk,  an'  'twan't  no  hawk  ter  be 
seen.  He  fool  'em  all  so  often  dat  he  got  'em  disguss'id, 
same  ez  he  done  de  bu'ds.  De  white  folks  wuz  gwine 
shoot  him,  but  one'r  de  white  gals  whar  wuz'havin'  a 
beau  co'te  her  'bout  dat  time,  say  dey  'bleeged  ter  spare 
him,  "kase  he  come  an'  set  on  de  chimbly  "mongs'  de 
ivry-vines  an'  sing  so  sweet  in  de  moonlight. 

"Well,  de  wedder  git  hotter  an'  hotter,  an'  las'  'long 
come  Mistah  Drv-flv  ies'  a-hollerin'  an'  a  kvar'vin  on, 
day  in  an'  day  out,  no  let  up ;  soun'  fer  all  de  worl'  lak 
a  ol'  rusty  buzz-saw.  Mockin'-bu'd  no  sooner  year  him 
dan  he  sav  ter  hisse'f ,  sezee :  ^Hi  I  vi  I  w'at  kind  er  noise 
is  dat?  I  mus'  twis'  my  mouf  roun'  dat  soun'  an'  den 
do  a  li'l  projeckin'  wid  hit  'mongs'  de  creeturs.' 

"Wid  dat  he  twis'  his  mouf  up  de  way  he  think  hit 
orter  be,  but  lawsv !  'tain'  soun'  no  mo'  lak  Drv-flv  dan 
I  does  dis  minnit.  He  set  his  haid  on  one  side  an'  lissen 
ag'in  an'  den  try  onct  mo'.  Huh-uh !  wusser  dan  befo'. 
He  whustle  an'  he  bubble  an'  he  nigh  mos'  bus'  his 
th'oat,  but  'twan't  no  use. 

"By  dat  time  tu'rr  bu'ds  fin'  out  w'at  he'z  up  to,  an' 
dey  ga'rr  roun'  an'  lissen  at  him,  an'  dey  wuz  dat 
tickelt  at  him  dat  some  im  'em  come  mighty  nigh  tum- 

311 


AT    THE    BIG    HOrSE 

blin'  outer  de  trees,  dey  laugh  so  hard.  Dey  poke  one 
nu'rr  in  de  side  an'  ses :  *^Hysh !  g'way  f  um  yer  !  ain' 
I  tol'  you  he  gwine  meet  his  match  some  day?  Keep 
hit  up,  Mistah  Dry-fly;  don'  you  stop  a  minnit,  fer  ef 
you  do,  dat  rambunkshus  bu'd'll  fall  to  an'  mummick 
we-all  ag'in.' 

"Wid  dat,  Dry-fly  he  go  on  jes'  a-buzzin^  an'  a-buzzin', 
louder n  uver ;  but  sho !  he  ain'  need  ter  do  dat,  fer 
Mistah  Mockin-bu'd  wuz  dat  tuck  down  in  his  fedders 
dat  he  jes'  went  a-slinkin'  off  inter  de  woods  an'  stayed 
dar,  an'  he  sca'cely  opened  his  mouf  all  endurin'  de 
summer,  'kase  he  wuz  so  'shame'  he  done  met  up  at  las* 
wid  a  pusson  whar  he  kain't  mummick.  Tu'rr  bu'ds 
dey  flew'd  roun'  an'  'j'yed  derse'fs  might'l}^  mo'n  dey 
done  fer  a  long  time,  singin'  an'  chu'ppin',  'kase  dey 
knowed  no  pusson  wuz  gwineter  mek  a  mock  uv  'em, 

"Las'  de  fros'  come,  an'  Dry-fly  he  tucken  hi?,  buzz 
an'  went  som'ers  wid  hit  whar  'twuz  wo'mmer,  er  else 
de  col'  done  kill  him  off.  Anyways  he  stop  buzzin'  wid 
de  fus'  fros',  an'  den  yer  come  ol'  Mockin'-bu'd,  mockin' 
an'  trickin'  same  ez  uver  an'  singin'  'way  thu  de  light- 
nights  fer  de  gal  an'  her  beau  'twel  dey  mos'  thought 
summer  done  come  ag'in.  "^Laws-a-mussy !'  sez  de  gal, 
sez  she,  ^ef  yer  ain'  dat  sweet  li'l  bu'd  singin'  ag'in.  I 
lak  ter  know  huccome  he  stop  so  long.  Ain'  he  got  jes' 
de  nices'  li'l  voice  in  de  worl'?' 

"  ^N"aw,  dat  he  ain','  sez  de  man,  sezee ;  ^I  heap  ru'rr 
lissen  at  you  talkin'.'  Den  de  gal  she  giggle,  an'  I 
dunno  w'at  else  dey  ses,  mebbe  not  much,  but  de  bu'ds 
wuz  jes'  a-gabblin'  'bout  ol'  Mockin'-bu'd. 

" '^Uh-huh !'  dey  ses,  Ver  he  is  back  ag'in,  big  ez  life 
an'  twict  ez  natchel.     He'z  got  de  imp'ence  er  de  01' 

312 


THE  MOCKIXG-BIRD  AXD  THE  DRY-FLY 

Scratch  hisse'f.  But  elat  de  way  wid  dese  yer  Mistah 
Brags:  w'en  dey  meets  up  wid  der  match  dey  shets  der 
moufs  mighty  tight,  but  w^en  der  betters  go  long  an' 
leave  'em  ter  deyse'f s  ag'in,  sho !  dey  open  der  moufs 
so  wide  an'  hollers  so  loud  dat  decent  folks  kain't  stay 
whar  dey  is.' 

"An'  wid  dat  dey  all  went  twitterin'  off  an'  lef  him 
ter  hisse'f.  IJver  sence  den,  'long  w'en  de  wedder  git 
right  wo'm  an'  de  dry-flies  'mence  der  buzzin',  ef  you'll 
pay  'tention  you'll  notuss  dat  de  mockin'-bu'ds  lays 
kind  er  low  an'  lets  on  lak  dey  think  de  wedder  too  wo'm 
fer  singin'." 


313 


THE  SAUCY  YOUXG  FROG 


"Tell  ITS  aniTzzer  ^tory^  please?''  begged  little  Kit,  as 
they  still  sat  waiting  for  the  miller  to  finish  grinding 
Aunt  ]^ancy's  corn. 

"Wat  about  ?"  she  asked. 

"Oh,  some  animal  you  haven't  ever  told  us  about 
before,"  said  Janev. 

Aunt  Nancy  pondered  a  while.  "I  dunno  w'at  dat 
'ud  be,''  she  said.  "  'Pears  ter  me  I  done  gin  all  de 
creeturs  a  whu'l."  After  a  little  more  thought,  she 
said :  "Dat  pond  putts  me  in  min'  uv  a  tale  'bout  a 
frog  whar  live  in  jes'  sech  a  place  ez  dat.  I  ain'  nuver 
tol'  you  'bout  no  frogs." 

"You  told  us  about  toad-frogs,"  said  Ned. 

"I  knows  dat,"  she  said,  "but  dem  ain'  frogs.  Frogs 
live  in  de  water  an'  toad-frogs  live  on  de  Ian'.  Well, 
onct  dar  wuz  a  ol'  frog  whar  live  in  a  pond  all  by  his- 
se'f.  'Twuz  way  ofi^,  down  in  de  woods,  jes'  lak  dis,  an' 
dark  an'  still,  jes'  lak  dis.  'Twuz  full  er  fish,  an'  de 
ol'  frog  he  wuz  a  gre't  fisherman  an'  ketched  so  many 
dat  he  got  big  an'  fat  an'  his  voice  got  loud  an'  deep, 
so't  you  cu'd  year  him  mo'n  a  mile  off.  All  thu  de  sum- 
mer evenin's  he  kep'  up  his  talkin',  so  loud  you  cu'd  den 
year  nuttin'  else,  an'  hit  mek  folks  feel  right  lonesome 
w'en  dey  wuz  settin'  by  derse'fs  in  de  dark.  Dey  cu'd 
year  him  at  hit  long  ez  dey  kep'  awake,  ^jug-jug-er-oom, 

314 


THE    SAUCY    YOUXG    FEOG 

jug-jug-er-oom,  jug-er-oom,  jiig-er-oom^  jug-er-oom !' 
Ev'y  now  an'  den  dey'd  year  a  big  splash.  Dat  'uz  w'en 
he'd  go  np  on  de  bank  an'  teck  a  han'-spring  do\^TL  in  de 
water^  fer  he  vruz  a  gre't  han'  fer  divin'.  He'd  come 
dowTi  wid  a  gre't  ker-chug!  an'  den  you  cu'd  year  him 
jes'"  a  boomin'  an'  a-bellerin'  nnner  de  water. 

"In  de  daytime  he'd  come  out  on  de  bank  an'  sun 
hisse'f  an'  set  up  dar  winkin'  an'  blinkin'  'twel  he  fell 
fas'  asleep.  One  day  w'ile  he  wuz  teckin'  a  nap  on  de 
bank^  3'er  come  'long  a  sassy  young  frog  whar  bin  nut- 
tin'  but  a  li'l  tadpole  dat  ve'y  spring.  He  wuz  new  ter 
bein'  a  frog,  an'  he  putt  on  lots  uv  airs  dat  wuz  boun' 
ter  be  tuck  outen  him  sooner  er  later.  He  wuz  mighty 
proud  uy  his  new  green  suit  wid  de  white  yes',  an'  he 
wanter  g'long  som'ers  an'  show  hisse'f  off,  so  he  say  ter 
his  mammy :  Olaw,  I'se  mighty  tired  er  stayin'  in  dish 
yer  li'l  ol'  pond.  I  wanter  go  som'ers  an'  do  sump'n. 
You  kain't  'spec'  me  ter  grow  up  nuttin'  but  a  numb- 
skull in  dis  ol'  mud-hole.  I  boun'  you,  dar's  heap  nicer 
ponds  dan  dis  som'ers,  an'  I  jes'  gwineter  hop  right 
'long  an'  fin'  'em.  So  many  li'l  ol'  tadpoles  in  dish  yer 
pond  dat  I  'clar'  hit  goes  'gins'  de  grain  fer  me  ter  stay 
yer  an'  'sociate  wid  'em.' 

"  ^Humph  I'  his  mammy  say,  '^seem  ter  me  you  gittin' 
too  big  fer  yo'  britches.  You  wuz  bawned  an'  bringed 
up  wid  de  res'  er  my  fambly  in  dis  pond,  an'  hit's  plumb 
good  'nuff  fer  you.  You  gittin'  mighty  uppish,  turnin' 
up  yo'  nose  at  de  tadpoles,  w'en  you  bin  one  yo'se'f  a 
li'l  w'ile  back.' 

"  ^Yas,  dat  I  wuz,  mammy,'  sezee,  ^ut  you  see  I  ain' 
one  now,  an'  dat  mek  all  de  diffe'ns  in  de  worl'.' 

"  ^Mebbe  you  gwine  fin'  out  dat  dar's  wuss  things  in 

315 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

ponds  dan  tadpoles/  sez  she;  ^mebbe  yon  mought  be 
right  glad  ter  git  back  safe  an'  soun'  ter  yo'  fambly/ 

"  ^I'll  teck  de  resk  er  dat/  sezee,  an'  wid  dat  he  clim' 
lip  de  bank  an'  went  hoppin'  off  ter  see  w'at  he  cu'd  see. 

"Well,  I  done  tol'  you  he  got  ter  de  pond  whar  de  big 
frog  live  an'  seed  him  settin'  dar  in  de  sun,  fas'  asleep. 
He  cas'  his  eye  down  inter  de  pond  an'  see  'twuz  full 
er  fish  an'  he  say :  'Oh  me !  oh  my !  wish  't  I'd  a-brung 
daddy  an'  mammy  an'  de  chillen.  Now  ain'  dis  jes' 
gran' !  I  gwine  ketch  me  a  good  mess  er  fish  an'  tote 
some  un  'em  home  an'  show  mammy  I  kin  do  sump'n,  ef 
^tain'  bin  long  sence  I  wuz  a  tadpole.  I  don'  reckon  de 
ol'  gemman  snoogin'  yer  on  de  bank  gwine  kyare  ef  I 
ketch  some,  he  got  so  many  in  dar.  Kain't  he'p  hit  ef 
he  do  kyare.' 

"Wid  dat  he  lit  inter  fishin'  an'  ketched  a  right  good 
mess.  Jes'  'bout  den  de  ol'  frog  woked  up  an'  seed 
w'at  de  young  un  wuz  doin'.  He  cu'dden  sca'cely  b'lieve 
his  eyes,  sfn'  he  rub  an'  rub  'em  ter  mek  sho'  dar  ain' 
no  misteck. 

"Young-frog  he  wuz  talkin'  'way  ter  hisse'f,  sezee: 
^Dar,  now,  jes'  one  mo'  fish  an'  I'll  be  thu  an'  teck  myse'f 
off  befo'  ol'  man  Bull-frog  wake.  Mammy  she'll  be 
right  proud  uv  me,  dat  she  will.' 

"Jes'  den  ol'  Bull-frog  riz  up  an'  tuck  him  by  de 
shoulder,  an'  sezee,  in  a  turr'ble  voice,  an'  swellin'  up 
de  big  noise-bag  beneaf  his  th'oat :  "^01'  man  Bull-frog, 
hey  ?  Dat  w'at  you  call  me !  Well,  you  mus'  be  mighty 
young  an'  green  not  ter  know  better  dan  ter  come  yer  an' 
teck  fish  f'um  my  pond.  I  don'  'low  no  one  ter  teck  fish 
f  um  my  pond.     I  don'  'low  no  pusson  ter  fish  yer  but 


316 


THE    SAIJCY   YOUXG    FEOG 

myse'f.    !N"ow  w'at  'sense  kin  3-011  mek  fer  yo'se'f,  comin' 
ver  stealin'  fish  w'en  you  see  me  fas'  asleep  ?' 

^^"oung-frog  he  gin  a  gre't  jnmp  w'en  Bull-frog 
clapped  his  han'  on  him,  an'  his  eyes  got  mo'  popped  dan 
dey  wuz  befo'.  He  let  a  fish  drap  outen  his  han',  an' 
he  gin  de  bigges'  grin  he  cu'd  wid  dat  wide  mouf  er 
his'n,  an'  he  say,  sezee :  ^Shucks !  is  dis  yo'  pond  ?  You 
sut'n'y  mus'  'sense  me.  Dis  is  de  ve'y  fus'  trip  I  uver 
tucken  f'um  home,  an'  I  s'pose  'twuz  the  same  yer  ez 
'tis  in  ow'  pond ;  ev'yb'dy  fish  dar  dat  wanter.' 

"  *^Xaw,  siree !'  sez  Bull-frog,  ^not  by  a  long  shot,  suh. 
Dish  Acer's  my  pond,  dese  yer  my  fish,  an'  w'en  you  fish 
outen  dar  hit's  plumb  stealin' ;  dat's  w'at  'tis.' 

"  *You  don'  sesso !'  sez  Young-frog,  sezee,  jes'  ez  sassy 
ez  you  please.  ^Well,  ef  dat's  de  case,  suh,  I  kin  jes' 
drap  de  fish  right  back  in  de  pond  an'  g'long.  I  s'pose 
dat'U  mek  hit  all  right.' 

"^Naw,  dat  hit  won't!'  sez  de  ol'  feller.  '^S'pose  I 
let  you  go,  how  I  gwine  know  you  won't  come  back  yer 
ag'in  an'  bring  all  yo'  fambly  wid  you  an'  all  git  ter 
thievin'  in  my  pond?  Xaw,  suh,  w'en  I  gits  my  han' 
on  a  thief  I  mos'  in  gin'l  keeps  hit  dar.  Yas,  suh,  I 
gotter  putt  you  ter  def.  Xow  de  queschin  is,  how  I  bes' 
do  dat  ?' 

"Young-frog  he  say  ter  hisse'f :  ^  'M !  I  blieve 
mammy  'bout  ridit.  I  wish  't  I  wuz  safe  at  home  dis 
ye'y  minnit,  stidder  in  de  ban's  er  dish  yer  pop-eyed, 
big-moufed  ol'  bladderskite.  Xo  use  ter  baig  him,  I 
see  he  ain'  gwine  let  me  off.  I  ain'  gwine  let  on  I'se 
'feard,  neener,  'kase  dat  'ud  gin  him  too  much  sassi- 
f action.  I  mus'  jes'  putt  on  de  bes'  front  I  kin  an' 
mebbe  I'll  ffit  'way  f'um  him  yit.' 

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AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

"Den  he  say  out  loud:  ^Well^  suli^  I  'spec'  you'se 
right  'bout  dis.  You'se  older 'n  me^  an'  I  ain'  gwine 
'spute  wid  you.  Mammy  done  I'arn  me  I  mus'n'  argyfy 
wid  folks  older'n  w'at  I  is.  So  you  jes'  teck  me  'long  an' 
do  w'at  you  think  bes'  wid  me.' 

"  ^All  right/  sez  Bull-frog,  sezee.  ''Kin  you  gimme 
any  notion  er  w'at  be  de  mos'  sho'es'  way  ter  git  shed 
uv  you,  'kase  I  wanter  mek  an'  een'  er  dis ;  I  ain'  w^anter 
do  de  job  over  ag'in.' 

"Young-frog  think  he  see  a  chanct  right  dar  fer  git- 
tin'  'way,  so  he  say:  ^Well,  suh,  you  mought  try  one 
way  an'  den  ag'in  you  mought  try  nu'rr.  Heaps  er 
ways,  but  w'at  does  you  think  'bout  th'owin'  me  in  de 
pond  ?  Dat  seem  ter  me  a  right  easy  way,  an'  sho',  too, 
'kase  I  ain'  I'arn  ter  swim  yit.' 

"  ''We'll  see  'bout  dat,  suh,  later  on,'  sez  Bull-frog, 
sezee.  ^Jes'  putt  on  yo'  thinkin'  cap  ag'in  an'  tell  me 
some  urr  way  dat  I  kin  try,  fer  I  ain'  so  sho'  but  w'at 
you  I'lti  swim;  you  done  bin  a  tadpole,  an'  dey  all  kin 
swim.' 

"  ^Done  fergot  all  I  knowed  w'en  I  wuz  a  tadpole,' 
sez  Young-frog,  sezee,  ^an'  I  ain'  ketched  up  wid  de 
ways  er  frogs  yit.' 

"  'Nemmine,'  sez  Bull-frog,  sezee,  Sve'll  see  'bout  dat 
ag'in.    Tell  me  some  urr  way.' 

"Young-frog  he  stud}^  an'  study  an'  las'  he  b'lieve  he 
see  nu'rr  way  out.  He  say:  ''Well,  ef  you'll  jes'  go 
over  dar  an'  git  dat  piece  er  rock  an'  smash  hit  down  on 
me  yer  whar  I  set  on  dis  rock,  hit'll  een'  me  up  in  no 
time  't  all.  Bli])  hit  down,  an'  hit'll  jes'  smash  me  fiat 
ez  a  pancake.' 

"Bull-frog  clap  his  ban's  an'  say:     ^Dat's  de  ticket! 

318 


THE    SAUCY    YOUXG    FROG 

You  siit'n'y  got  some  breens  in  yo'  haid,  cf  you  is  young 
an'  green.  Yer's  wliar  I  gwine  do  lak  you  ses.  'Twon't 
teck  me  but  a  minnit  ter  fetch  dat  rock,  an'  'fo'  you 
know  hit  a^ou  won't  be  nowhar's.' 

"Bull-frog  hop  off  after  de  rock,  an',  bless  goodness, 
his  back  wuz  no  sooner  turnt  dan  Young-frog  jes'  gin 
one  gre't  spring  an'  lan'ed  in  de  middle  er  de  pond. 
He  went  swimmin'  off  ter  tu'rr  side  an'  wuz  up  de 
bank  by  de  time  Bull-frog  got  back  wid  de  rock. 

"Bull-frog  come  'long  back,  talkin'.  He  say:  'JTig- 
er-oom  !  Jug-er-oom  !  Jug-er-oom  !  Xow  git  a  good 
raidy,  young  feller,  fer  yo'  time  done  come' — an'  den  he 
see  de  place  wuz  empty.  ^Whar  on  yearf  is  dat  pesterin' 
li'l  thief  er  de  worl'  gone  ter  ?'  sezee,  ^jug-er-oom !  jug- 
er-oom  !  jug-er-oom !' 

"  ''Gone  inter  de  water,  suh,'  sings  out  Young-frog 
f'um  tu'rr  bank.  ^I  wuz  bawnded  an'  bringed  up  in  de 
water,  an'  my  daddy  an'  my  mammy  befo'  me.  We  is 
all  fus'-class  swimmers,  an'  you  orter  knowed  better  dan 
ter  lef  me  settin'  dar  'long  side  er  de  water.  A  gemman 
ol'  ez  w'at  3'ou  is  orter  be  mo'  up  ter  snuff  dan  a  young 
frog  whar  wuz  nuttin'  but  a  tadpole  a  li'l  w'ile  back. 
So-long,  suh.  I  gwine  home  ter  tell  daddy  an'  mammy 
an'  all  de  frogs  in  ow'  pond  jes'  whar  dey  kin  git  'em  a 
good  mess  er  fish.  So-long,  suh,  we  all  be  over  ter  see 
YOU  some  er  dese  times  w'en  de  walkin's  good  an'  de 
light  nights  come.' 

"Y'all  kin  see  f'um  dat,"  added  the  story-teller,  "w'at 
resks  chillen  run  dat  don'  min'  der  mammies  an'  stay 
home  an'  be  sassified,  whar  dey's  tooken  good  kyare  uv. 
An'  now  yer  come  de  man  wid  my  meal,  an'  yon's  Dick- 
mule  jes'  natchelly  pawin'  up  de  groun',  so  I  reckon  we 

319 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

bes^  pile  ow'se'fs  inter  de  kyart  ef  we  wanter  git  home 
'fo'  sundown,  ^kase  dar's  no  tellin'  w'at  Dick  gwine 
think  ^bout  hurrvin'  hisse'f.  Nuttin'  mo'  onsartin  in 
dis  worF  dan  de  doin's  nv  a  mule.  He  dunno  hisse'f, 
f 'um  one  minnit  ter  de  nex'/^ 


320 


THE  CRAXE  AND  THE  HUMMING-BIED 

The  long  visit  to  Uncle  Henry  was  nearly  at  an  end. 
Next  day  but  one  the  children  and  their  mother  were 
to  go  North  again.  So  it  came  about  that  the  little 
folks  were  once  more  permitted  to  spend  the  evening 
at  the  cook-house,  where  there  was  a  goodly  gathering, 
presided  over  by  the  little  hunch-backed  cook,  Eliza, 
who,  as  she  would  have  said,  had  sent  out  "noration'^ 
that  there  was  to  be  a  grand  story-telling  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  little  white  children  who  were  so  soon  to  leave 
them.  Sam,  the  driver,  was  there,  beaming  on  his 
elderly  enchantress  with  every  white  tooth  in  his  head. 
Tim,  the  plow-boy,  had  brought  his  banjo  and  was 
happy  in  the  presence  of  his  coy  charmer,  Cassy.  Aunt 
Throny's  grandson,  "Wi^yum,"  was  also  present,  while 
Coonie,  the  house-boy,  constant  in  his  devotion  to  every- 
thing eatable,  was  seated  on  the  hearth  engaged  in 
roasting  potatoes  in  the  ashes. 

Of  course  the  two  story-tellers,  Aunt  Nancy  and  Aunt 
'Phrony,  were  present,  for  the  occasion  would  have  been 
as  nothing  without  them.  These  last  were  rather  shy 
of  beginning,  saying  that  they  "wan't  feelin'  quite  up 
ter  hit  yit,''  so,  by  way  of  raising  their  spirits  to  the 
desired  pitch,  Tim  picked  his  banjo  a  while,  Wi'yum 
did  the  famous  "back-step'^  and  Coonie  executed  a  curi- 
ous dance,  the  performance  of  which  he  called  "knockin' 

321 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

de  'rang-a-'tang/^  during  which  he  thumped  his  feet  on 
the  floor  in  such  an  emphatic  manner  that  it  seemed  as 
if  something  must  give  way — either  feet  or  floor.  But 
neither  did,  and  the  dance  reached  a  safe  conclusion 
amidst  a  great  deal  of  applause  and  laughter. 

At  last  the  turn  of  the  storv-tellers  came,  and  Aunt 
'Phrony  allowed  herself  to  be  persuaded  to  begin.  She 
said  she  would  tell  the  story  of  the  Humming-bird  and 
the  Crane,  as  it  contained  some  good  advice  to  young 
men  who  were  courting,  and  here  she  rolled  her  eyes  in 
a  meaning  way  at  Tim  and  Cassy. 

"I  reckon,"  she  began,  "dat  mens  bin  co'tin^  gals  uver 
sence  de  beginnin^  er  time,  an'  I  een-about  reckon  dey 
gwine  keep  hit  up  ontwel  de  een'.  Wat's  mo',  de  gals 
alluz  bin  runnin'  on  wid  'em,  laughin'  at  'em  one  time, 
crvin'  'bout  'em  anu'rr,  turnin'  der  backs  on  'em  one 
minnit,  runnin'  after  'em  de  nex' ;  an'  I  s'pose  dey  gwine 
keejD  up  dat  foolishness  long  ez  de  worl'  wag.  Back  in 
de  ol'  da^'S,  dar  wuz  a  gal  whar  live  way  out  yonner 
som'ers;  a  mighty  harnsome,  likely  sort  er  gal,  an'  all 
de  creeturs  wuz  plumb  crazy  over  her,  an'  'spute  an' 
kyar'  on  'bout  who  gwine  git  her,  an'  sometimes  dey  had 
reg'ler  fist-an'-skull  fights  'bout  hit.  De  gal  she  wuz 
mighty  nice  to  'em  all,  runnin'  on  wid  'em  an'  sof- 
sawderin'  each  one  w'en  she  git  him  off  by  hisse'f,  'twel 
he  think  he'z  de  one  she  gwine  choose,  fer  sho'.  Dat-a- 
way  she  keep  'em  all  projeckin'  roun'  her  day  in  an'  day 
out,  'kase  she  thought  she  cu'd  git  ma'ied  any  time  she 
git  raidy  ter  quit  her  foolishness,  jes'  de  way  dese  yer 
good-facetet  gals  is  mighty  ap'  ter  think  dey  kin'  do, 
dough  sometimes  dey  keeps  hit  up  jes'  a  li'l  too  long  an' 
fines  derse'fs  high  an'  dry  on  de  she'f.     Las'  her  folks 


THE   CRAXE   AXD   THE   HUMMIXG-BIRD 

git  ^feard  dat  mebbe  dat  de  way  she  gwine  do,  an'  dey 
tell  her  she  mus'  mek  her  choice  an'  git  ma'ied. 

"De  bn'ds  dey  wuz  kind  er  lis'nin'  roun',  ar/  dey  got 
de  news  er  dis  firs',  an'  dey  ses  ter  one  nii':' ::  dat  dey 
gwine  'cide  de  marter  wid  a  race,  startin'  'way  off  f  um 
de  gal's  house  an'  w'ichuver  got  dar  fus'  ww-:  ter  have" 
her. 

"Gal  she  ain'  say  nuttin',  jes'  grin  at  'em  all  lak  she 
alluz  do,  an'  dey  g'long  off  ter  de  startin'  place  jes'  mo'n 
'spntin'  an'  argyfyin'  wid  one  nn'rr.  Las'  dey  got  so 
rantankerons  dat  nios'  nn  'em  wnz  plumb  'j'eard  ter  go 
inter  de  race  fer  fear  dey  mought  be  tore  limb  f  um  limb 
ef  dey  did  git  de  gal.  Las'  dar  wan't  but  th'ee  lef  dat 
wuz  willin'  ter  mek  de  trial,  an'  dem  wuz  de  Tukkey 
an'  de  Crane  an'  de  Hummin'-bu'd.  Tukkey  he  start 
off  mighty  biggitty  an'  flewed  a  li'l  ways  at  a  big  bus'  er 
speed,  but  he  wuz  too  haivy  ter  keep  dat  up  long,  so  he 
lit  an'  tried  ter  run  'long  de  groun',  but  sho  !  he  done  f  er- 
got de  time  de  cunjerers  putt  a  lot  er  li'l  bones  in  his 
laigs  so's't  he  cu'dden  run  fas'.  He  seed  tu'rr  bu'ds  wuz 
gittin'  so  fur  ahaid  uv  him  dat  'twan't  no  use  ter  try,  so 
he  say  ter  hisse'f,  sezee:  ^Shucks!  let  me  out  en  dis;  I 
ain'  want  nuttin'  ter  do  wid  no  sech  a  hurrah's-nes'  ez 
dish  yer  is ;  dar  ain'  no  gals  livin'  dat's  wuf  hit.  Lemme 
git  back  ter  my  home  an'  stay  dar  in  peace  an'  quiet.' 
So  he  went  swingin'  off  home,  an'  dat  lef  nob'dy  in  de 
race  but  de  Crane  an'  de  Hummin'-bu'd. 

"De  Crane  mighty  sho'  he  gwine  beat,  'kase  he  have 
sech  long  laigs,  an'  Hummin'-bu'd  sho'  he  cu'd  beat, 
'kase  er  de  swif'ness  uv  his  wings.  Crane  say  ter  hisse'f, 
sezee,  ^Humph  !  I  ain'  got  dese  yer  long  laigs  fer  nut- 
tin'  ;  I  gwine  beat  dat  li'l  no-kyount  Hummin'-bu'd  ter 

323  ^ 


AT    THE    BIG   HOUSE 

flinders/  an'  Hummin'-bu'd  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  sezee, 
^Shucks !  how  kin  dat  gre't,  gawkin',  long-legged  creetur 
think  he  gwine  keep  up  wid  me?  Hit's  plumb  rank 
foolishness  fer  me  ter  keep  goin'  night  an'  day,  so  I 
jes'  gwine  res'  me  off  good  at  night,  an'  in  de  mawnin' 
I  kin  soon  ketch  up  wid  ol'  Crane  an'  pass  him  on  de 
road.' 

"So  Hummin'-bu'd  he  res'  off  all  night,  an'  Crane  he 
go  on  an'  on,  an'  w'en  mawnin'  come  an'  he  see  dat 
Hummin'-bu'd  ain'  kotch  up  wid  him,  he  say  ter  hisse'f, 
he  say,  ^Lazy  li'l  rascal,  I  boun'  you  he  'z  sleepin'  yit,  an' 
I  'spec'  de  sun  be  good  an'  high  befo'  he  crawls  out,  so 
I  jes'  gwine  stop  right  yer  at  dis  pond  an'  git  me  a  snack 
er  frogs,  'kase  dish  yer  night-trabel  done  wo'  me  to  a 
frazzle  an'  lef  me  empty  ez  a  go'de.'  Wid  dat  he  stop 
at  de  aidge  er  de  pond  an'  stan'  dar  on  one  laig,  waitin' 
an'  watchin'  fer  de  frogs.  He  wuz  a  pow'ful  good  fisher- 
man an'  mighty  fond  er  frogs.  He  cu'd  spy  'em  an'  run 
'em  thu  wid  his  bill  'fo'  dey  knowed  w'at  had  'em.  He 
stood  dar  stuffin'  an'  stuffin'  hisse'f  'twel  he  clean  fergot 
how  de  time  wuz  passin',  an'  fus'  news  he  knew  yer  come 
de  Hummin'-bu'd  an'  pass  him  lak  a  streak  er  lightnin'. 
He  call  out  ez  he  pass,  ^Heyo !  Mistah  Crane,  teckin'  hit 
easy,  I  see,  suh.  Dat's  right ;  don'  yo'  hurry  yo'se'f  fer 
nuttin'  ner  nob'dy,  let  'lone  a  gal.  So-long,  suh ;  hope 
you  git  dar  in  time  fer  de  weddin'.'  Crane  he  hurry 
hisse'f  might'ly  atter  dat,  but  he  wuz  stuff'  so  full  dat 
trabelin'  wuz  hard  wu'k,  an'  he  ain'  see  Hummin'-bu'd 
ag'in  dat  day. 

"Well,  dey  kep'  hit  up  dat-a-way,  one  stoppin'  ter  res' 
by  night  an'  tu'rr  stoppin'  ter  eat  by  day,  'twel  de  las' 
day  done  come.     Crane  he  'cide  ter  do  widout  a  snack 

324 


THE   CRAXE   AXD   THE   HUMMIXG-BIRD 

dat  day,  an'  he  putt  on  a  big  bus'  uv  speed  an'  got  ter  de 
gal's  house  'bout  noon.     Jes'  a  minnit  atter^,  yer  come 


Hummin'-bu'd,  all  a-flutterin'  an'  a-flusterin',  an'  dat 
mad  dat  he  ain'  kin  see  straight,  'kase  he  los'  de  race 

325 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

jes'  by  dat  one  luinnit.  De  trufe  wiiz  he  done  overslep' 
hisse'f  er  he  moiiohter  heat  ol'  Crane  widout  half  trvin'. 

"Now  de  gal  she  wanted  de  Hummin'-buVl  ter  beat, 
an'  she  wuz  might'ly  putt  out  w'en  she  see  de  Crane  wuz 
de  winner,  so  she  mek  up  her  min'  dat  she  oon  tek 
neener  one  uv  'em,  an'  w'en  Crane  step  up  ter  claim  her 
she  say,  '^Xaw,  suh,  'scuse  me,  suh.  Xex'  time  you  mek 
a  bargum  I  'vize  you  ter  ax  de  cornsent  er  de  lady. 
Y'all  tol'  me  you  gwine  run  a  race,  but  is  you  uver 
year  me  say  I  gwine  ma'y  de  winner  ?  N'aw,  suh,  I  ain' 
say  nuttin'  't  all.  Mistah  Crane,  yer,  he  done  think 
heap  mo'  uv  his  dinner  dan  he  do  er  me,  an'  Mistah 
Hummin'-bu'd  think  too  much  uv  his  natchel  slumbers, 
an'  you  bofe  done  bin  too  sho'  er  gittin'  me.  You  mus' 
nuver  be  sho'  uv  anvthino^  w'en  vou'se  co'tin'  a  o-al,  leas' 
UV  all,  de  gal  husse'f .  An'  now  I  ain'  gwine  teck  neener 
one'r  you.  I  gwine  teck  dish  yer  King-fisher  whar  bin 
settin'  yer  jes'  a-cotin'  an'  a-cotin'  me  w'ile  y'all  bin  off 
on  dat  race.' 

"So  dat  de  way  she  tuck  an'  done,  an'  de  Crane  an'  de 
Hummin'-bu'd  jes'  hatter  turn  tails  an'  go  home,  an' 
my  daddy,  w'en  he  tol'  me  de  tale,  say  dat  uver  sence 
den,  w'en  de  medincin'-men  cunjer  ter  fin'  out  who 
gwine  ma'y  who,  dey  names  de  on  lucky  beads  atter  de 
Crane  an'  de  Hummin'-bu'd,  an'  de  lucky  bead  dey  call 
atter  de  King-fisher." 


326 


THE  FOX  AXD  THE  HOT  POTATOES 


After  the  stor}^  of  the  Crane  and  the  Humming-hird, 
'Liza,  playing  the  role  of  impartial  hostess,  called  on 
Aunt  iSTancy  to  take  part  in  entertaining  the  com  • 
pany. 

"Naw,  ma  am.  Sis'  'Liza,  please  'sense  me  dis  evenin'/' 
said  she ;  "de  mis'ry  in  my  f ootses  dat  bad  dey  feels  lak 
two  plumb  chunks  er  pain,  an'  my  haid  ache  me  so's't 
I  kain't  year  myse'f  think,  let  'lone  study  'bout  sech  ez 
dem  ol'  tales.    You  please,  ma'am,  ter  'sense  me." 

But  the  company  fully  understood  that,  like  many  an 
entertainer  in  more  exalted  circles  of  society.  Aunt 
Nancy  wanted  coaxing,  and  between  their  compliments 
on  the  one  hand  and  on  the  other  sundr}^  sniffs  from 
Aunt  'Phronv,  which  seemed  intended  to  cast  discredit 
upon  the  old  woman's  miseries  of  head  and  feet,  she  was 
finally  induced  to  relent. 

She  was  about  to  besfin,  when  she  fell  to  laudiins: 
immoderately  at  Coonie,  who  had  burned  his  fingers  in 
pulling  a  hot  potato  from  the  ashes,  and  was  sucking 
them  vigorously  with  man}?-  grimaces  and  exclamations. 
When  she  could  speak  for  laughing,  she  explained  that 
it  had  reminded  her  of  one  time  when  Mr.  Fox  pulled 
hot  potatoes  from  the  ashes  for  the  benefit  of  Mis'  Molly 
Hare  and  her  family. 

"  'Twuz  one  winter  night,"  she  said,  "one'r  dem  nights 
w'en  ol'  Jack  Fros'  jes'  goes  a-whoopin'  an'  a-hollerin' 
roun'  de  house,  whustlin'  thu  de  keyholes,  an'  rattlin' 

327 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

de  winders,  an'  retchin'  up  thn  de  cracks  in  de  fio'  an' 
pinchin'  folks  by  de  toes.  01'  man  Hyar'  an'  Mis' 
Hyar'  an'  de  chillen  wnz  all  scrunched  up  by  de  fire 
tryin'  ter  keep  wo'm^  waitin'  an'  watchin'  fer  de  'taters 
whar  wuz  roas'in'  in  de  ashes. 

"  ^Lawsy !  lawsy !'  sez  de  ol'  man,  stretchin'  hisse'f  an' 
knockin'  de  ashes  outen  his  pipe,  ^lawsy !  lawsy !  dar  ain' 
nuttin'  in  dis  livin'  worl'  gwine  roust  me  outen  de  house 
dis  night.  I  gwine  stay  right  yer  'long  wid  y'all  an' 
toas'  my  shins  an'  smoke  my  pipe.  Hits  col'  'nuf?  out- 
side ter  freeze  de  hawns  offen  a  buff'ler.  01'  ooman, 
git  out  de  cider-jug  an'  le's  we  have  a  li'l  dram  all 
roun'  ter  wo'm  us  up,  an'  by  dat  time  de  'taters  '11  be 
good  an'  done.'  So  Mis'  Hyar'  she  drammed  'em  all 
roun'  wid, cider,  an'  den  she  'mence  ter  scratch  out  de 
'taters,  w'ile  de  chillen  sot  up  on  der  ha'nches  watchin' 
her  wid  der  big,  bright  eyes  an'  wu'kkin'  der  noses  an' 
smackin'  der  chops  lak  dey  kain't  sca'cely  Avait.  Dat 
mus'  'a  bin  a  sight.  Mis'  Molly  scratchin'  'way  in  de 
ashes  wid  her  li'l  ol'  white  cotton  tail  turnt  up  in  de 
air  an'  her  behime  footses  jes'  a-flyin'. 

"W'ile  she  wuz  wu'kkin',  de  chillen  dey  wuz  grabbin' 
de  'taters,  an'  de  ol'  man  he  hatter  do  a  li'l  cuffin'  an' 
scoldin'.  He  say,  ^You  Jumper  an'  Thumper!  I  want 
you  ter  stop  snatchin'  f 'um  Bunny  an'  Honey ;  dem's  de 
babies,  an'  dey  kain't  look  out  fer  derse'f s ;  you  orter  be 
'shame'  er  yo'se'f  s !  Winker  an'  Blinker,  you  neenter 
think  I  dunno  you'se  snougin'  'taters  an'  hidin'  'em  be- 
hime yo'  backs.  Putt  'em  back  an'  go  sheers  all  roun', 
er  I  come  dar  an'  cuff  you  good,  so  he'p  me  bob !' 

"Mis'  Hyar'  she  go  on  scratchin'  an'  she  git  mighty 
wo'm.     Las'  her  footses  'mence  ter  smart,  and  she  say, 

328 


THE  FOX  AXD  THE  HOT  POTATOES 


^Lan'  er  de  livin' !  dish  yer  too  hot  fer  me ;  lemme  git  out 
whar  I  kin  cool  my  paws;  nemmine  ef  I  gits  de  chil- 
blains ;  mought  ^z  well  freeze  up  ez  burn  up/ 

"Wid  dat  she  mek  fer  de  do',  an'  w'en  dey  open  hit, 
dar  stood  Mistah  Fox,  jes'  a-shiverin'  an'  a-shakin'  wid 


u  - 


L 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

de  col'.  Mi?'  ;^^ollv  she  say,  'Heyo !  Mistah  Fox;  dish 
yer's  a  nice,  wo'm  evenin'  you  done  selected  fer  yp' 
visit.   Will  you  have  a  cheer  jes'  outside  de  do'  ?' 

"Fox  he  say,  wid  his  toofs  jes'  a-clatterin'  an'  a-chat- 
terin',  sezee,  Tlease,  ma'am.  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail,  ter 
lemme  come  in  dis  ve'y  minnit  an'  don'  stan'  dar  pro- 
jeckin'  wid  me,  'kase  I  is  friz  ter  de  marrer  an'  I'se 
'bleeged  ter  git  thawed  out  er  else  drap  right  yer  in  my 
tracks.' 

"  'Well,'  sez  ]\Iolly,  sez  she,  'I  dunno  'bout  lettin'  you 
in;  dish  yer  a  mighty  col'  night,  an'  we-all  got  jes'  a 
han'ful  er  fire  an'  a  lot  er  paws  ter  be  wo'med  at  hit, 
fer  you  know  I  got  some  'leven  er  mo'  chillen  in  my 
fambly,  but  I  reckon  I  mought  mek  out  ter  let  you  in 
ef  you'll  unnerteck  de  job  er  diggin'  a  lot  er  'taters  out  en 
de  ashes.' 

"  'Lemme  git  in,'  sez  de  Fox,  sezee,  Tse  good  fer  all 
night  at  dat  job ;  jes'  lemme  git  my  footses  in  dem  ashes 
onct  an'  I  ain'  gwine  teck  'em  out  in  a  hurry.' 

"Hyar'  she  say,  'Walk  in  an'  mek  yo'se'f  at  home ;  we 
gwine  gin  you  a  mighty  wo'm  welcome,'  an'  right  dar 
she  grin  behime  Fox's  back  an'  wunk  at  ol'  man  Hyar'. 
'Grit  yo'  mouf  s  raidy,  now,  chillen  I'  she  sing  out  ter  de 
young  uns,  an'  ol'  Fox  jes'  lit  inter  scratchin',  lak  all 
possessed,  an'  de  chillen  sot  dar  an'  gobbled  'taters  fas- 
ter'n  he  cu'd  dig  ^em  out.  Las'  he  'gin  ter  git  kind  er 
wo'm,  an'  he  say,  'Ouch !  ouch  I !  ouch  ! ! !'  Mis'  Hyar' 
sa}^,  'W'at  de  marter,  Mistah  Fox,  ain'  yo'  feet  wo'm 
yit  ?' 

"Fox  he  ain'  say  nuttin',  jes'  go  on  a-seratchin'.  but 
pres'n'y  his  foo'tses  wuz  dat  scorched  an'  swinged  dat  he 
cu'dden  stan'  hit,   an'  he  say,   'Jimminy   Crick !   ^lis' 

330 


THE  FOX  AND  THE  HOT  POTATOES 

Hyar',  you  mus'  lot  me  off  on  dis  job,  you  sho'ly  mus'. 
I  reckon  cle  chillen  done  got  der  fill  by  dis  time,  any- 
hows/ 

"  ^Xaw,  mammy,  dat  we  ain' !  mek  him  go  on/  dey 
sez,  an'  Mis'  Hyar'  she  say,  'You  year  dat  now.  I  kain't 
let  my  chillen  go  hongry,  so  I  'bleeged  ter  ax  you  ter 
go  on,  er  else  me  an'  my  ol'  man  gotter  fling  you  out 
dar  in  de  fros'.' 

"Fox  he  set  an'  study  a  minnit  'bout  w'icht  wuz  de 
wuss,  de  fire  er  de  fros',  an'  las'  he  mek  up  his  min'  ter 
try  de  fire  a  li'l  longer.  Sidesen  dat  he  wuz  in  de  hopes 
er  gittin'  a  'tater  fer  his  own  sheer  'fo'  dey  wuz  all  gone. 
So  he  go  on  wid  de  scratchin'  fer  a  w'ile,  an'  las'  he 
kain't  stan'  hit  no  longer  an'  he  bus'  out  ter  yellin',  'Ow  ! 
ow !  ow !  ouch !  lemme  outen  dis !  putt  me  in  de  fros'  er 
any  place  whar  I  kin  cool  my  footses !  m-m-m-m-umph ! 
mv  footses  done  bu'nt  clean  offen  me  !' 

"Dat  wuz  de  trufe,  too,  an'  w'en  Mis'  Hyar'  see  Fox 
ain'  got  no  footses  ter  scratch  wid  no  mo',  dey  jes'  tuck 
him  an'  flung  him  out  in  de  col'  an'  shet  de  do'  on  him. 
He  went  limpin'  long  li'l  ways,  colder'n  uver,  an'  jes' 
a-studyin'  how  he  gwine  git  back  by  dat  fire.  Pres'n'y 
he  met  up  wid  nu'rr  Fox,  a  li'l  young  feller,  easy  ter 
fool,  an'  he  say  ter  him,  sezee,  '^Heyo,  young  man,  w'at 
vou  doin'  canterin'  roun'  dis  col'  nio-ht;  does  3^0' 
mammy  know  yo're  out?  You  better  come  'long  go 
back  wid  me  ter  ol'  man  Hyar's.  Dey  got  a  rip-roarin' 
fire  dar  an'  a  lot  er  'taters  roas'in',  an'  dey'll  let  you  git 
wo'm  an'  gin  you  a  'tater,  too,  jes'  fer  pullin'  'em  outen 
de  ashes.^ 

"]\ristah  Young-fox  say,  ^Well,  !^^^stah  Slickry-sly,  I 
ain'  k}^are  ef  I  do.'    So  dey  sr'long  back  ter  ol'  Hyar's 

331 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

house  an'  knock,  an'  Slickry  he  'splain  dat  he  done 
brung  someb'dy  ter  pull  'taters  outen  de  ashes,  so  Mis' 
Hyar'  she  'vite  'em  in  an'  set  de  young  feller  ter  wu'k. 

"He  wuz  mighty  peart  'bout  hit  at  fus',  but  I  let  you 
know  'twan't  long  'fo'  he  slack  up,  an'  pres'n'y  he  wuz 
gruntin'  an'  groanin'  an'  lickin'  his  paws.  01'  Fox  he 
sot  dar  an'  aigged  him  on  an'  et  taters  wid  de  fambly 
an'  hollered  an'  laughed  w'en  las'  Young-fox  drap  a  hot 
tater  an'  bolt  fer  de  do'.  '^Don'  be  in  sech  has'e,'  he  call 
out  after  him;  ^you  gwine  fin'  mighty  col'  wedder  out- 
side.' 

"Mis'  Hyar'  she  putt  on  a  solium  look  an'  she  say, 
she  do,  ^Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox,  ain'  you  'shame'  ter 
mek  fun  er  yo'  feller  creetur?' 

"Fox  he  'spon',  ^Naw,  dat  I  ain'.  You  done  yearn 
befo'  now  dat  mis'ry  love  comp'ny.  You  don'  s'pose  I 
wuz  gwine  be  de  on'ies'  fox  in  dese  diggin's  whar  go 
limp  in'  roun'  wid  stumps  fer  footses?  Naw,  suh,  not 
ef  de  co'te  know  hitse'f,  an'  hit  think  hit  do.' 

"01'  man  Hyar'  let  on  lak  he  wuz  clean  outdone  wid 
sech  talk,  an'  he  jes'  tucken  his  foot  'way  f'um  Fox  an' 
lan'ed  him  plumb  outside  de  do',  an'  he  say,  sezee,  ^Teck 
dat,  now,  an'  g'long,  an'  don'  you  come  yer  no  mo'  talkin' 
no  sech  a  way  ez  dat  befo'  my  li'l  chillen;  I  don'  want 
'em  ter  I'arn  sech  'havishness  ter  der  feller  creeturs. 
You  year  me,  suh !  now  mosey,  befo'  I  teck  my  foot  'way 
f'um  you  ag'in.    I  don'  wanter  hurt  you,  'deed  I  don'.' 

"Den  he  shet  de  do'  an'  come  back,  an'  Mis'  Hyar'  she 
cuff  de  chillen  all  roun'  fer  scrabblin'  in  de  ashes  an' 
gittin'  derse'fs  dirty,  an'  den  dey  all  went  ter  baid  an' 
slep'  jes'  ez  soun'  ez  ef  dey  ain'  bu'nt  de  footses  off  en  de 
foxes  an'  den  turnt  'em  a-loose  in  de  col'." 

332 


THE  FUXERAL  OF  ME.  DOG- 


"Aimt  Xaney/'  said  Ned,  after  the  story  of  the  Fox 
and  the  hot  potatoes,  "do  you  remember  telling  us  a  story 
about  Mrs.  Dog  and  the  way  she  chased  old  Mr.  Fox? 
Do  you  know  any  more  stories  about  her  ?" 

"Lemme  see  'bout  dat/'  she  said.  "]\Iebbe  I  does,  but 
I  kain't  jes'  lay  my  finger  'pun  hit  dis  minnit.  My  back- 
days  is  gittin'  way  fum  me  so  fas'  dat  I  hatter  stop 
now  an'  den  ter  git  a  fraish  holt  on  'em,  lessen  I  wants 
'em  ter  git  clean  out  er  sight." 

She  pondered  a  little  while,  with  her  head  on  one  side, 
and  then  resumed :  "Seem  lak  I  kain't  jes'  'zackly  think 
uv  anu'rr  tale  'bout  ol'  Mis'  Dog,  but  I  does  'member 
one  'bout  de  fun'l  er  Mistah  Dog.  One  time  noration 
wuz  sont  out  thu  all  de  kyountry  dat  Mistah  Dog  done 
daid  an'  Mistah  Owl  gwine  preach  de  fun'l  sarmint,  an' 
ev'y  pusson  mus'  come  ter  year  hit.  Some  er  de  creeturs 
jes'  jumped  up  an'  down  an'  clapped  der  ban's  an'  cut  all 
sorts  er  shines,  'kase  he  bin  worryin'  an'  pussecutin'  an' 
chasin'  'em  'twel  dey  wuz  'feard  ter  stick  der  haids  outen 
der  holes. 

"So  ev'yb'dy  putt  on  der  bes'  riggin'  an'  sot  out  fer  de 
preachin'.  Mistah  Hyar'  he  g'long  pas'  Mistah  Fox's 
an'  he  sing  out,  ^Oh,  ^listah  Fox,  is  you  yearn  Mistah 
Dog  done  daid?'  Fox  he  'spon',  he  do,  'Is  Mistah  Dog 
daid?  I  ain'  b'lieve  dat;  hits  too  good  ter  be  true.  I 
know  he  gwine  chase  me  many  a  time  yit.' 

333 


AT    THE    BIG   HOUSE 


(( <-' 


""Yas/  sez  Hyar',  sezee,  ^lit's  de  gospil  trufe.  De 
fim'l  gwine  be  preached  dis  day,  an'  you  mus'  come 
'long  er  me.' 

"So  dey  sot  out  fer  de  preacliin',  whar  ev'yb'dy  wuz 
tryin'  mighty  hard  to  behave  solium.     Owl  he  perched 
up  on  a  branch  uv  a  tree  whar  he  cu'd  look  down  on  de 
folks,  an'  he  putt  on  his  specs  an'  cl'ared  his  th'oat  an 
coughed,  an'  den  sezee,  ^My  'specful  yearers,  we  is  al 
ga'rrd  toge'rr  dis  day  fer  a  sad  an'  mo'nful  'casion,  an 
yit  not  so  mo'nful,  neener,  'kase  ef  de  trufe  mus'  be  tol 
— an'  dat's  w'at  I'se  yer  fer,  dear  sinner  fren's — I  'spec 
mos'  uv  you  is-rej'ycin'  an'  givin'  thanks  fer  de  takin 
off  er  Mistah  Dog,  'kase  he  wuz  de  foe  uv  peace  an 
quiet  an'  de  natchel-bawn  inimy  uv  ev'y  one'r  you-all. 
Ez  fer  me,  my  min'  done  tore  in  two  'bout  dis,  fer  I 
kain't  rej'j^ce  widout  medjure;  my  inj'yment  is  chasten' 
by  de  fac'  dat  I  has  de  haivy  job  er  preachin'  dish  yer 
sarmint,  an'  yit  I  is  sut'n'y  glad  he  gone,  fer  he  done 
done  so  much  damagement  an'  kilt  so  many  sheep  an' 
hyar's.' 

"Eight  dar  ol'  Hyar'  he  groan  an'  he  say,  sezee,  ^as, 
Lawd !'  an'  de  Sheep  he  say,  Trufe,  too !'  an'  tu'rrs  all 
jine  in  wid,  ^Year  dat  wu'd,  now,  do  !' 

"Owl  he  go  on:  ^But  li'l  chillen,  I  gotter  say  unter 
you  dat  you  has  yo'  lesson  ter  I'arn  f'um  de  suddint 
teckin'  oif  er  ]\Iistah  Dog.  How  you  know  you  is'n' 
gwine  be  tucken  off,  too,  in  de  midse  er  yo'  sins,  in  de 
same  lak  manner?  Who  kin  tell  dat  to-morrer  some  er 
you  won't  be  layin'  whar  Mistah  Dog  is,  all  strouded  an' 
raidy  fer  de  grave?  I  stan'  yer  lookin'  each  one'r  you 
in  de  eye  an'  scannin'  de  continents  er  yo'  face,  an'  I 


331 


THE    FUXEEAL    OF    MR.    DOG 

kin  see  dat  some  er  3-011  is  layin'  right  at  de  gates  iiv 
iniquity,  kickin^  yo^  heels  ter  git  in,  an'  I  ses  nnter  you, 
look  atter  de  sjoin'  er  yo'  davs,  riu'ht  ver  an'  now.  You 
gotter  gin  up  all  dese  yer  fine  fancies  er  de  worl',  whar 
ain'  wuff  shucks,  nohows,  not  even  w'en  deys  tricked  out 
in  pupple  an'  fine  linen  an'  gilted  all  roun'  wid  gol'. 
Look  on  dis  col'  cawpse  an'  teck  de  warnin' !  Yit  I  ain' 
gwine  say  he  got  no  chanct,  atter  all,  'kase  he  wuz  a 
mighty  good  fren'  ter  Mistah  Man,  an'  tuck  good  kyare 
er  de  house  by  night  an'  by  day,  an'  dat  sarvice  gwine  be 
'membered.  Yas,  my  fren's,  I  'spec'  Mistah  Dog  gv\ine 
sho'ly  be  saved  atter  all.  An'  now  y'all  kin  sing  sump'n 
an'  den  come  up,  one  by  one,  decint  an'  in  order,  fer  de 
las'  viewin'  er  de  cawpse.' 

"De  creeturs  go  up  an'  look  at  him  an'  den  come  back 
an'  whusper  'mong  derse'fs.  Wolf  he  say,  sezee,  'Well,  ef 
he  is  daid,  I'se  glad  he  daid,  'kase  he  done  chase  me 
'nuff,  lawd  knows  I  he  orter  been  daid  long  'go.'  Tarr'- 
pin  he  laugh,  an'  sezee,  'Mistah  Owl  done  tol'  us  Mistah 
Dog  sho'ly  saved.  Well,  dat's  mo'n  Brer  Wolf  uver  gwine 
be,'  an'  tu'rrs  all  laugh  at  de  Joke,  an'  all  un  'em  have 
sump'n  ter  say  'bout  Mistah  Dog. 

"x\tter  de  fun'l  wuz  preached  dey  wuz  fixin'  fer  de 
burryin-,  an'  Hyar'  he  say,  sezee,  Tren's,  I  he'p  y'all 
wid  pledjure  an'  be  tickelt  inter  de  bargum.' 

"Wolf  he  sa}^  he  do,  'Dog-my-cats,  ef  I  b'lieve  he  daid, 
atter  all !    I  ain'  gwine  he'p  hurry  him.' 

"Tarr'pin  he  say,  'I  bin  trabelin'  sence  befo'  sun  up ; 
I'se  too  mawtul  tired  ter  think  'bout  han'lin'  dat  kyar- 
kiss.' 

'Mis'  'Possum  she  say,  'Well,  you  see  I  got  all  dese 


335 


i(^ 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

chillen  er  mine  hangin'  outer  me  by  der  tails.  A  ooman 
wid  chillen  settin'  all  over  her  back  de  way  mine  is  kaint 
ve^y  well  he'p  wid  de  biirryin\' 

"Fox  he  say,  ^Y'all  kin  see  fer  yo'se'fs  dat  I  got  my 
footses  mos'  bn'nt  offen  me.  A  man  all  lame'  np  dis-a- 
way  oon  be  much  use  ter  you,  dat's  sut'n.  Ef  'twan't 
fer  dat  I  be  glad  ter  he'p.' 

"Dey  all  kep'  on  dat-a-way,  mekin'  'senses,  'twel  las' 
dar  wan't  none  lef  but  de  Hyar'  an'  de  Sheep,  so  dey 
s'lected  dem  out  ter  hurry  Mistah  Dog,  an'  atter  dey  done 
digged  de  pit  an'  go  ter  putt  him  in,  Hyar'  he  say,  ^You 
go  down  fus',  Brer  Sheep.'  Sheep  he  sa}',  ^Ba-a-a,  I  ain' 
b'lieve  I  kin,'  an'  wid  dat  H3^ar'  gin  him  a  shove  dat 
sont  him  down  de  hole,  an'  den  he  jumped  in  right  on 
him,  so's't  de  fall  wuz  mighty  sof  an'  easy  fer  him. 

"All  dis  time  Mistah  Dog  wuz  layin'  'sentially  still  an' 
quiet,  an'  tu'rrs  picked  him  up  an'  passed  him  down  de 
hole  ter  Mistah  Hyar'  an'  Mistah  Sheep,  but  Wolf  he 
kep'  a  li'l  ways  off,  'kase  he  wan't  so  sho'  Mistah  Dog 
good  an'  daid. 

"Dog  he  jes'  bin  a-lettin'  on  all  dis  time,  an'  w'en  he 
wuz  clean  down  de  hole  an'  dev  'mence  ter  chunk  dirt 
on  him,  he  wake  up  mighty  suddint,  an'  he  say,  sezee, 
^Uh-huh  !  gwine  hurry  me,  is  y'all  ?  Putt  me  'way  in  de 
midse  er  my  sins,  is  you  ?  I  let  you  know  I  ain'  ez  daid 
ez  I  look.  Mebbe  some  er  you-all  gwine  have  vo'  fun'l 
sarmint  preached  befo'  I  needs  one.' 

"Wid  dat  he  mek  a  grab  at  Mistah  Hyar'  an'  Mistah 
Sheep,  an'  dat  wuz  de  las'  uv  'em  bote,  fer  dey  cu'dden 
git  outer  de  hole  widout  he'p,  an'  tu'rr  creeturs  jes' 
tucken  ter  der  heels  an'  went  a-seootin'  widout  waitin' 
ter  see  w'at  happen,  ol'  Wolf  at  de  haid  er  de  gang, 

336 


THE    FUXERAL    OF    ME.    DOG 

^kase  he  bin  waitin'  out  on  de  aidge  er  de  crowd,  ^spectin' 
sump'n  gwine  happen,  fer  he  knowed  de  ways  er  ^listah 
Dog. 

"Fer  so  lons^  time  ol'  Wolf  went  visitin'  roun'  de 
naberhoods  ^lowin',  ^Dar !  I  done  tol'  you  Mistah  Doo; 
wan't  daid  I  I  done  toF  you  so !  ]\Iebbe  nex'  time  you 
pay  me  some  'tention  w'en  I  talk.'  He  kep'  on  dat-a-way 
'twel  folks  got  plumb  wo'  out  wid  him,  an'  dey'd  git 
outen  de  way  w'en  dey  seed  him  comin'.  I  tell  you,  folks, 
dat  sort  er  talk  mek  a  man  mighty  onpop'lous.  I  done 
study  'bout  hit  a  heap  an'  I  mek  up  my  min'  dat's 
huccome  some  er  de  prophits  ter  git  stoned  in  de  ol' 
days;  fus'  dey  tol'  de  people,  'Dis  thing  gwine  happen,' 
an'  den  w'en  hit  come  ter  pass  dey  go  roun'  sayin', 
^Uh-huh !  ain'  we-all  done  tol'  you  so  ?'  Seem  lak  folks 
jes'  kain't  stan'  dat,  nohows;  'pears  lak  we  ain'  made 
so's't  we  kin;  de  flaish  too  weak,  an'  dem  'ar  prophits 
orter  knowed  dat." 


337 


HOW  THE  DEER  LOST  HIS  UPPER  TEETH 

Aunt  'Phrony  followed  up  the  last  story  with,  one 
which  dealt  with  that  tricky  little  fellow,  Mr.  Hare. 
"You  chillen,"  she  commenced,  "mebbe  kin  'member,  an' 
den  ag'in  mebbe  you  kain't,  de  tale  I  done  toF  you  onct 
'bout  de  creeturs  teckin'  Vav  de  hawns  f'um  ol'  Hvar'  an' 
puttin'  'em  on  Mistah  Deer's  haid.  Well,  den,  Hyar'  he 
bin  a-studyin'  an'  a-studyin'  how  he  gwine  git  even  wid 
him  fer  dat.  So  one  day  w'en  he  wuz  settin'  by  de  road, 
gnorrin'  on  de  bark  uv  a  black  locus',  'long  come  Mistah 
Deer  jes'  a-lopin'  by.  Hyar'  call  out  ^lowdy'  to  'im,  an' 
he  stop  and  pass  de  time  er  day.  He  see  Hyar'  jes' 
a-gnorrin'  'way  an'  he  say,  he  do,  Tiawsy,  Mistah  Hyar', 
w'at  pow'f ul  fine  toof  s  you  got.    Huccome  dey  so  sharp  ?' 

"Hyar'  he  say,  sezee,  'Thanky,  suh,  my  toofs  is  right 
good  and  sharp,  an'  dis  huccome  dey  so,  dey  ain'  grow 
dat-a-way;  I  oon  have  'em  ef  I  did  n'  wu'k  fer  em;  I 
done  whet  'em  myse'f  er  dey  ain'  be  dis-a-way.  Jes'  look 
at  me  gnor  dis  bark.    Lemme  see  yo'  toofs,  suh.' 

"Deer  he  putt  down  his  haid  an'  open  his  mouf  wide, 
an'  Hyar'  he  tucken  him  by  de  tongue  an'  peer  inside,  lak 
he  might'ly  consarned  'bout  de  state  er  Mistah  Deer's 
toofs.  He  putt  on  a  solium  look  an'  shuk  his  haid  an' 
say,  sezee,  ^My !  my !  Mistah  Deer,  yo'  toofs  is  in  a  pow'- 
ful  bad  wav.  I  dunno  't  all  how  you  mek  out  ter  chaw  yo' 
vittles ;  you  mus'  hatter  gobble  'em  down  hull ;  I  boun' 

^338 


"mistah  deer,  yo'  toofs  is  in  a  pow'ful  bad  way" 


HOW  THE  DEER  LOST  HIS  UPPER  TEETH 

ef  de  trufe  wiiz  knowed,  3^0'  stummick  all  out  er  order. 
Yoii  better  lemme  fix  up  dese  toofs  fer  you  'fo'  dey  gits 
any  wusser  ^n  w'at  dey  is;  better  let  me  whet  'em  fer 
you.' 

"Deer  he  Tow  dat  he  have  bin  feelin'  right  squawmish 
in  de  stummick  yer  lately,  an'  he  'low,  he  do,  ^I  ain'  bin 
blamin'  hit  on  de  toofs,  but  I  reckon  you'se  right,  an'  ef 
you  kin  fix  me  up  wid  a  outfit  er  vittle-'stroyers  lak  yo'n, 
jes'  you  go  ahaid  an'  do  hit,  quick  'z  you  kin.' 

^'  '^All  right,'  sez  Hyar,  sezee,  T'm  yo'  man ;  I  gwine 
fix  you  up  so's't  you'll  s'prise  yo'se'f  an'  all  yo'  fambly, 
an'  'twon't  be  long  'fo'  you'll  fin'  3'0'se'f  so  fatted  up  dat 
liT  mo'  an'  you'd  come  bustin'  thu  yo'  hide.'  Wid  dat 
he  go  off  an'  git  him  a  rock  an'  den  he  come  back  an' 
say,  ^Xow,  ol'  man,  jes'  lay  yo'  haid  back  an'  open  yo' 
mouf  wide  an'  gimme  good  elber-room  an'  I'll  have  you 
all  whetted  up  in  a  jiff,  so  sharp  't  you  kin  bite  tenpenny 
nails  in  two  ef  you  wanter.' 

"Deer  he  'low,  'Oh,  lawsv !  Mistah  Hvar',  I'se  'feard 
you  gwine  hu't  me,  deed  I  is !' 

"  Traidy-calf !'  sez  Hyar',  sezee,  ^low  you  reckon  I 
gwine  hu't  you  wid  dis  li'l  ol'  no-kyount  rock.  But  I'll 
jes'  g'long  an'  leave  you  wid  dem  mis'able  stumps  in  yo' 
mouf,  ef  vou  sesso,  douoli  I  had  hit  in  min'  ter  fix  vou 
so's't  you  cu'd  mek  yo'  livin'  heap  easier  dan  you  does 


now.' 


"Deer  he  feel  kind  er  'shame'  uv  hisse'f  an'  he  'low, 
'Oh,  go  ahaid,  suh;  reckon  I  ain'  'fesrrd  uv  a  li'l  thing 
lak  dat ;  I  bin  runnin'  roun'  thu  dese  woods  'mongs' 
de  b'ars  an'  de  wil'cats  an'  de  wolfs  too  Ions:  ter  be 
'feard  er  w'at  a  li'l  feller  lak  vou  kin  do  ter  me.   Go  on 


wid  de  grindin'.' 


339 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

"Hyar'  lie  clum  up  on  a  stump  whar  he  cu'd  reach 
good,  an'  den  he  jes'  rub  an'  rub  an'  rub  on  Mistah 
Deer's  upper  toofs.  Wen  he  got  'em  groun'  half-way 
down,  Deer  he  think  hit  'mence  ter  feel  mighty  queer  an' 
he  say,  sezee,  "Look-a-yer,  ^listah  Hyar',  w'at  you  doin' 
to  me  ?    I  'clar'  dat  don'  feel  right,  'deed  hit  don'.' 

"  ^Is  dasso  ?'  Hyar'  'low.  ^Wv  I  is  s'prise'.  But  nem- 
mine,  you  gwine  feel  all  right  torreckly.  I'se  jes' 
'mencin'  ter  git  a  nice  aidge  on  yo'  toofs,  an'  w'en  I'se 
thu  wid  you,  you  kin  gnor  de  bark  offen  de  saplin's  an' 
git  yo'se'f  sump'n  ter  eat  sidesen  dish  yer  trifiin'  moss 
you  bin  livin'  off  all  dis  time.  I  gwine  fix  you  up  so's't 
you  kin  gnor  anything  you  've  a  min'  ter.' 

"Deer  he  'low,  ^N'ame  er  gracious  !  go  on,  den,  in  fer  a 
penny,  in  fer  a  poun' !  but  don'  be  long  'bout  hit,  fer  I 
mighty  nigh  wo'  out.'  He  kep'  gruntin'  an'  groanin' 
an'  screwin',  wid  de  col'  shivers  runnin'  up  an'  down  his 
back,  an'  Hyar'  he  kep'  on  grindin'  an'  grindin'  'twel  po' 
ol'  Deer  ain'  have  nuttin'  but  de  stumps  uv  his  upper 
toofs  lef  in  his  haid. 

Den  Hyar  he  'low,  ^Dar  you  is  now,  Mistah  Deer,  right 
ez  a  trivet,  suh;  jes'  g'long  an'  gnor  on  de  bark  er  dem 
saplin's  3^onner,  an'  I  boun'  you  you'll  be  s'prise'  ter  fin' 
how  easy  'tis.' 

"  '^Thanky,  suh,  all  right,  suh,'  sez  de  Deer,  sezee,  ^I 
sut'n'y  is  'bleeged  ter  you.  I  bin  wantin'  me  sump'n 
diff'nt  ter  eat  dis  long  time,'  an'  wid  dat  he  walk  over  ter 
de  saplin's. 

"Hyar'  he  'mence  sneakin'  an'  slidin'  off,  but  he  ain' 
go  fur ;  he  hide  behime  a  tree  an'  watch  ter  see  w'at  Deer 
gwine  do.  AY'en  Deer  fine  out  he  kain't  gnor  de  bark  't 
all,  an'  dat  his  upper  toofs  mos'  all  gone,  he  jes'  stomped 

340 


now  THE  DEER  LOST  HIS  TPPEPt  TEETH 

his  huf  s  an'  r'ared  'roun'.  '^Wuf  less  li'l  bunnel  er  trash  I' 
he  saj.  T  wish  't  I  had  'im  ver  on  one'r  dese  hawns  er 
mine  dis  ve'v  minnit.  I  boun'  you  I'd  show  'im  hue- 
come !  Gone  an'  done  me  outer  my  toofs,  wid  nnttiu' 
lef  but  a  ache  in  phice  uv  'em/  an'  ^-id  dat  he  shuk  his 
hawns  an'  jes'  r'ared  'roun'  'twel  Hyar'  wuz  mos'  'feard 
ter  show  hisse'f . 

"Las  he  cu'dden  keep  back  his  imp'ence  no  longer,  so 
he  stick  his  haid  out  an'  say,  ^Hi !  yi !  Mistah  Deer,  you 
'pears  ter  be  kind  er  stove  up  'bout  de  toofs,  ef  I  ain'  mek 
no  misteck.  Ain'  dat  a  pity !  sho' !  sho' !  I'se  s'prise'  you 
trus'  me  wid  dat  Job,  I  sut'n'y  is,  'kase  you  moughter 
knowed  I  wuz  gwine  git  even  wid  3'ou  fer  wearin'  dem 
hawns  de  creeturs  tucken  'wa}"  f  um  me,  w'en  you  knowed 
dev  wuz  mine  bv  rio-hts.  I  reckon  you  done  fer^fot  how 
you  drug  me  befo'  de  kyouncil,  a  pris'ner,  but  I  tell  you, 
suh,  I  ain'  fergit  hit;  I  bin  waitin'  all  dis  time  ter 
git  even,  an'  I  'low  dat  I  done  come  up  wid  you,  fer 
folks  Inn  do  widout  hawns,  but  dey  kain't  git  "long  ve'y 
well  widout  toofs,  lessen  dey  teck  ter  swollerin'  sop- 
Yittles.  Ain'  dat  de  trufe?  I  leave  hit  ter  you,  suh, 
'kase  I  knows  dat  you  in  a  fix  ter  know  all  'bout  hit.' 

"Wid  dat  he  let  out  a  big  hoot  an'  step'  off  home 
widout  waitin'  ter  look  l:»ehime,  an'  lef  ol'  Deer  chawin' 
off  de  li'l  buds  an'  young  twigs,  an'  dat  w'at  de  deers 
bin  doin'  uver  sence,  'kase  dey  ain'  got  no  upper  toofs 
wuf  speakin'  uv  ter  do  der  chawin'  wid." 


341 


THE  HAEE  DISAPPEAES  FOE  EA^EE 


"Umpli!'^  said  Eliza,  when  she  had  heard  how  the 
Deer  came  to  have  such  short  upper  teeth.  ^'Uniph !  I 
know  Deer  felt  bad  widout  dem  toofs;  I  know  he  did, 
^kase  I  done  los'  my  own,  an'  dish  yer  thing  uv  gommin' 
hit  ain'  w'at  hits  cracked  up  ter  be,  Meed  hit  ain'.  Hit 
don'  s'prise  me  dat  Deer  wuz  mad  wid  ol'  Hyar'.  I 
reckon  dey  kep'  mighty  cle'r  uv  one  nu'rr  atter  dat 
^spe'yunce/' 

"  'Deed  dey  ain',  den,"  said  x\unt  'Phrony.  "Co'se 
Hyar'  he  try  ter  keep  outen  de  way  fer  a  li'l  w'ile,  but 
Deer  he  let  on  ter  be  frenMy  an'  familious,  waitin'  fer 
de  chanct  ter  git  even  wid  him,  an'  dat  th'ow  Hyar'  oifen 
his  gyard,  an'  he  git  so,  pres'n'}^,  dat  he  ac'  jes'  'z  dough 
nuttin'  done  happen  'twix'  'em.  Hit  run  on  lak  dat 
ontwel  one  time  w'en  Hyar'  wuz  gwine  roun'  tendin'  ter 
be  a  doctah  an'  meddlin'  an'  muddlin'  wid  de  sick  folks. 

"One  day  a  baby  git  scalted  wid  hot  water  an'  go  ter 
crvin'  an'  hollerin'  so  dev  kain't  do  nuttin'  wid  him. 
Hvar'  he  come  dat  wav  an'  he  sav,  he  do,  '^Hi !  w'at  on 
yearf  is  de  marter  wid  dat  chil'?  He  howl  wusser'n 
any  ol'  wolf  on  de  mountain;  done  split  my  years  f'um 
top  ter  bottom.' 

"Dey  tol'  'im  w'at  wuz  de  marter  wid  de  chil',  an'  he 
say,  sezee,  "^Jes'  lemme  see  dat  chil';  I'se  a  doctah,  an' 
I  boun'  you  I  kin  gin  him  sump'n  dat  '11  ease  de  pain 
an'  mek  him  stop  cryin',  fer  I  tell  you  p'intedly  dat  I'se 
a  fuss'-class  doctah,  an'  ef  anv  un  you  feelin'  kind  er 

342 


THE    HAEE    DISAPPEAES    FOE    EVEE 

doncey  he  better  insult  me  'bout  hit  right  now,  'kase 
I  dunno  w'en  he  gwine  git  de  chanet  ag'in/ 

•^Well/  dey  ses  ter  him,  Vat  kin  you  do  fer  burns  ?' 
^You  lemme  'lone  fer  dat/  sezee.  "^I  does  hit  wid 
water,  but  ef  I  wuz  ter  tell  you  jes'  how,  de  chawm  done 
be  bruk.  You  mus'  putt  me  in  de  house  an'  den  shet 
de  do'  an'  fill  up  all  de  chinks  an'  den  go  'way  a  li'l 
piece,  fer  I  mus'  be  so't  eye  kain't  see  ner  year  lissen 
at  me.' 

"  ^All  right,'  dey  ses,  an'  den  dey  went  ter  w'uk  fillin' 
up  de  chinks,  dobbin'  'em  wid  clay,  an'  w'ile  dey  'z  doin' 
dat  Hyar'  he  sa'nter  roun'  kind  er  kyarless  an'  f oun'  a 
li'l  hole  whar  he  cu'd  git  out  ef  an}i:hing  wuz  ter  hap- 
pen, 'kase  he  seed  de  baby  wuz  nigh  mos'  daid  an'  he'z 
'f eard  dey  mought  blame  him  fer  hit.  ^My,  my !'  he  sez 
ter  hisse'f,  '^I  didn'  s'pose  de  chil'  wuz  dat  bad  off  er 
I  oon  'a  tol'  'em  I  wuz  a  doctah.  I  wish  I  wuz  safe 
outer  dis,  but  I  gotter  go  thu  wid  hit  now.  My  !  my !  dis 
shows  me  I  better  stick  ter  de  trufe  atter  dis.' 

"Well,  de  folks  got  de  dobbin'  done  an'  den  dey 
walked  'way  f'um  de  house  a  piece  ter  see  w'at  gwine 
happen.  Hyar'  he  tuck  an'  tuck  de  baby  an'  soused  hit 
in  de  water  an'  de  chil'  gin  one  onyearfly  yell  an'  den 
wuz  still,  an'  Hyar'  he  see  dat  'twuz  plumb  daid,  an'  he 
say  ter  hisse'f,  sezee,  ^Come  on,  Doctah  Hyar',  le's  we-all 
git  outen  dis  in  a  hurry  ef  we  know  w'at  good  fer  us,' 
an'  he  ga'rr  hisse'f  toge'rr  ter  spring  out  er  de  hole. 

"Xow,  de  mammy  er  de  chil'  she  done  stay  behime  ter 
lissen,  an'  w'en  she  year  de  baby  yell  she  call  ter  de  res', 
'Come  yer,  quick,  all  er  you  I  hurry  up  fas'  'z  you  kin  I 
Dat  owdacious  hypermocrit  done  kill  my  chil',  I  know 
he  have  I    Bus'  in  de  do';  you-all,  an'  nab  him  'f o'  he  kin 

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AT    THE    BIG   HOUSE 

git  off.    Ef  he  done  hurt  my  chi?  I  ain'  gwine  leave  one 
spear  er  h3''a'r  on  his  mis' able  hide  !    You  year  me  now !' 

"So  de  folks  come  a-runnin'  an'  bus'  in  de  do'  an' 
foun'  de  chil'  layin'  dar  daid.  Hyar'  he  run  outen  de 
hole^  an'  de  ooman  she  set  de  dogs  on  'im  an'  dey  chased 
him  inter  a  hole  in  de  tree  an'  stood  dar  keepin'  gyard 
ontwel  de  ooman  come  up.  De  people  rushed  up,  yellin' 
an'  callin',  an'  de  dogs  wuz  darnsin'  roun'  yappin'  an' 
yowlin',  an'  de  ooman  wuz  cryin'  an'  kyar'yin'  on  an' 
bellerin',  '^Oh,  lemme  git  at  him;  jes'  lemme  putt  my 
han's  on  him  onct  an'  he'll  wish  he'd  died  'fo'  he  wuz 
bawned !'    01'  Hyar'  think  his  time  done  come  fer  sho'. 

"De  ooman  tucken  a  stick  an'  twis'  hit  roun'  in  de 
tree,  an'  she  say,  sez  she,  ^Um-umph !  got  you  now,  mis'a- 
ble  li'l  thief-an'-body-snatcher !  Atter  you  wid  a  sharp 
stick,  sho'  'nuS.  Gwine  git  you  dis  time!'  Las'  she 
twis'  him  outen  de  tree  an'  he  fall  right  inter  her  lap. 
She  snatched  him  by  de  scruff  er  de  neck  an'  'gun  ter 
lamm  him  fus'  on  one  jaw  an'  den  on  tu'rr,  talkin'  at 
him  all  de  time,  ^Kill  my  baby,  will  you !  Meddle  wid 
de  doctah's  trade,  will  you !  Play  de  torm-f ool  wid  us 
all,  will  you !    Teck  dat,  now !  an'  dat !  an'  dat !' 

"De  ooman  she  done  skunt  one'r  his  laigs  wid  de  stick, 
an'  hit  'mence  ter  smart  him  right  much,  so  he  say, 
mighty  meek  an'  numble,  Tlease,  ma'am,  fer  ter  let 
me  down  a  minnit  w'ile  I  fix  my  laig;  hit  done  smart 
me  lak  a  hull  nes'ful  er  wast-es.  Kill  me  ef  you  gotter, 
but,  fer  de  Ian'  sake,  lemme  fix  dis  laig  fus' !' 

"De  ooman  wuz  fool  'nuff  ter  let  him  down,  an'  I 
boun'  ter  let  you  know  dat  he  did'n'  let  de  grass  grow 
unner  his  footses;  not  him.  He  wuz  off  an'  hid  'way 
down  in  de  woods  in  a  kyave  quicker'n  I  kin  tell  hit. 

344 


•     THE    HAEE    DISAPPEAES    FOP    EVER 

"De  ooman  cu'dden  tell  how  in  de  name  er  goodness 
she  gwine  git  even  wid  him,  so  she  call  all  de  folks  to- 
ge'rr  an'  ax  'em  f er  ter  he'p  tell  her  how  ter  do  hit.  Wiles 
dey  wuz  talkin'  long  come  de  Deer,  an'  year  w'at  dey 
sav,  an'  he  sez,  sezee,  ^Sho' !  dat's  easy  ez  rollin'  offen  a 
log.  Leave  dat  ter  me ;  I'se  de  man  whar  kin  fix  np  dis 
job.  Wy,  I  kin  sen'  dat  feller  clean  over  de  ocean,  so 
fur  he  nuver  kin  git  back  ag'in,  ef  yon  sesso.' 

"De  folks  hilt  a  li'l  confab  an'  mek  np  der  min's  dey 
bes'  let  Deer  git  redd  er  de  Hyar'.  ^  'Deed  dat  I  will/ 
sezee,  an'  he  went  sa'nterin'  'long,  jes'  ez  gaily  ez  you 


v/^ 


AT    THE    BIG    HOUSE 

please  down  inter  de  woods.  Hvar'  yearn  him  comin' 
an'  peeped  outer  de  kyave  ter  see  who  ^twuz.  Wen  he 
see  'twuz  Deer  he  mek  up  his  min*'  ter  come  out  an'  pass 
de  time  er  day  wid  him,  'kase  he  thouoht  Deer  wuz  his 
fren'  an'  wuz  fool  'nuff  ter  s'pose  Deer  done  fergot  all 
'bout  havin'  his  toofs  groun'  down.  So  he  come  pran- 
cin'  out,  jes'  ez  peart  ez  a  lizzud. 

'^Deer  he  say,  ^Howdy,  ol'  man ;  whar  you  bin  keepin' 
yo'se'f  all  dis  time?  Mus'n'  hide  yo'se'f  'way  f'um  yo' 
f ren's ;  dey  jes'  natchelly  kain't  git  'long  widout  you.  I 
come  ter  ax  you  ef  you  oon  lak  ter  go  'long  er  me  an'  teck 
a  li'l  walk  dish  yer  fine  day.  Do  you  good;  you  look 
kinder  pindlin'.' 

"Hyar'  kind  er  tired  er  stayin'  in  de  kyave  all  'lone, 
so  he  say,  '^Dat  I  will !  I'se  mo'  tickelt  dan  a  b'ar  wid  a 
bee-gum  ter  see  you  onct  mo'.  Pow'ful  lonesome,  suh, 
roun'  dese  diggin's,  pow'ful  lonesome;  dis  de  fus'  time 
I  uver  'spicioned  dat  I  wuz  n't  good  comp'ny.^ 

"Dey  went  romantin'  thu  de  woods  an'  pres'n'y  dey 
come  to  a  branch,  an'  Deer  he  say  ter  ol'  Hyar',  ^Well, 
now,  my  soople-jack  fren',  does  you  tliink  you  kin  jump 
dish  yer  ?' 

"  'Dat  I  kin,'  sez  Hyar',  sezee,  ^a  li'l  ol'  narrer  stream 
lak  dis ;  dis  nuttin'  't  all.    Kin  you  ?' 

"  ^Oh,  I  reckon  I  mought  mek  out  ter  spraddle  ^cross 
somehows,'  sez  Deer,  ^le's  we-all  step  back  a  piece  an'  gin 
a  run  an'  a  spring  toge'rr  an'  see  w'icht  kin  cle'r  de 
branch  bes'.' 

"^All  right,'  sez  Hyar,  sezee,  an'  wid  dat  dey  run 
to'des  de  branch.  Hyar'  he  gin  a  monst'ous  jump  dat 
Ian'  him  clean  on  tu'rr  side,  but  Deer  ain'  jump  't  all, 
jes'  stan'  at  de  aidge  er  de  branch  laughin'.     Hyar'  he 

346 


THE    HAEE    DISAPPEAES    FOE    EVEE 

baig  him  f um  tu^rr  side  not  ter  be  'feard  but  ter  ga'rr 
his  laigs  toge'rr  an'  jump  lak  he  have  some  sense  an' 
not  stan'  dar  grinnin'  hik  a  plumb  iji't. 

"De  mo'  he  baig  de  mo'  Deer  stan'  still,  an'  pres'n'y 
de  branch  'mence  ter  git  wider  an'  wider  'twel  hit  look 
'zackly  lak  de  ocean,  an  dat's  w'at  'twuz,  sho'  'nuff,  fer 
Deer  was  a  mighty  big  cunjerer  in  dem  days,  an'  he  done 
made  de  ocean  look  narrer  ez  a  branch,  so's't  he  eu'd  fool 
ol'  Hyar'.  Wen  he  got  him  across  he  tucken  de  spell 
oSen  Hyar's  eyes  an'  let  him  see  dat  he  done  cross  over 
de  ocean  an'  kain't  git  back  ag'in,  an'  dar  whar  he  bin 
uver  sence,  dat  ol'-time  mischief-mekin'  Gre't  Hvar'. 
Dish  jeT  w'at  we  have  now  is  jes'  a  li'l  no-kyount,  harm- 
less kin  er  his'n,  an'  all  dat's  lef  er  de  ol'  doin's  is  jes' 
dese  yer  tales  w'at  I  bin  tellin'  you.  But  dish  yer's  de 
las'  uv  him,  'kase  I  done  sont  him  clean  'cross  de  big 
water,  so  I  kain't  tell  you  no  mo'  uv  his  doin's,  even  ef 
you  wuz  ter  be  yer  ter  year  me  tell  'em,  w'ich  dat  you 
won'  be;  you  gwine  be  fur  'nuff  'way  f'um  we-all  an' 
all  vo'  kinrv,"  and  here  the  old  woman  threw  her  arms 
about  the  children  and  led  the  very  sincere  chorus  of  re- 
gret from  these  humble  friends  who  had  added  so  much 
to  the  pleasure  of  the  visit  and  whom  they  were  not 
to  see  again.  For  the  old  plantation  was  sold  not  many 
years  after,  and  their  mother  never  went  back. 

WTien  the  children  were  grown  they  wandered  once 
more  to  the  spot  which  had  been  the  home  of  their  an- 
cestors for  more  than  a.  hundred  vears,  but  all  was 
changed,  all  the  faces  unfamiliar,  and  Aunt  'Phrony 
and  Aunt  Xancy  lay  peacefully  beneath  the  spreading 
trees  of  the  old  negro  burial-lot  back  of  the  garden, 
where  so  many  faithful  black  heads  had  been  laid  in  the 

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AT    THE    BIG   HOUSE 

> 

da3^s  that  were  gone, — those  unreturning  days  when  be- 
tween the  white  man  and  the  black  were  confidence  and 
esteem  and  faith  and  trust  and  affection.  As  they  turned 
away  from  the  spot  they  sighed  regretfully  for  these 
things^  gone  as  utterly  and  surely  as  Molly  Hare  her- 
self has  vanished  from  the  firesides  of  her  once  cordial 
hosts,  banished  by  the  arts  of  a  powerful  conjuror 
who  performs  many  wonderful  feats  and  incantations 
through  the  agency  of  twenty-six  nimble  little  charac- 
ters, known  as  the  letters  of  the  alphabet. 


348 


; .  I  f  n  J 1 J  J : : 


